|
DUBAI, Dec 7 - Anna Nordqvist and Sophie Gustafson birdied the closing hole to win
the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters Challenge Match, sponsored by Jumeirah Golf Estates,
at Emirates Golf Club''s par-3 course on Monday.
The Swedish duo, leading by one shot going into the final hole, kept up their dominance
to see off the challenge of their nearest rivals In-Kyung Kim (US) and Anja Monke
(Germany), who also picked up a shot on the final hole.
The players
with Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, before the start
of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters Match, sponsored by Jumeirah Golf Estates, at
the Emirates Golf Club
The star US pairing of Michelle Wie and Christina Kim finished on level par, one
stroke ahead of England's four-time major winner Laura Davies and the 2009 British
Open champion Catriona Matthew.
New Swedish sensation Nordqvist, who has became an instant celebrity after her stunning
win in the 2009 LPGA Championship in only her fifth start on the tour, provided
a glimpse of her precocious talent when she drilled her tee shot close to the pin,
agonisingly missing out on a hole-in-one feat by just two inches.
"It was a great fun," Christina said, echoing the feelings of fellow professionals.
"I think it's a great concept and it should be played more often ahead of the main
tournaments where it's a serious business. I think the fans also love watching us
play in a relaxed atmosphere," she said.
"It was a dream for me to play in Dubai and I thank golf in DUBAi for inviting me
to play here. I would love to come back here next year. The (Majlis) course is great
and the hospitality simply excellent," said Christina, who is one of the most exciting
players on the LPGA Tour because of her animated and vocal style of play.
The eight players, who featured in the Challenge Match, were selected the basis
of their rankings and, of course, for their star value on the tour," said Mohamed
Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman of golf in DUBAi, the promoters and organisers of the
Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
"The intention behind organising this fun-filled event is try and encourage more
and more golf fans to come to the Emirates Golf Club and cheer the leading professional
lady golfers who would be competing in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, he Buamaim,
who praised the players for vitaully putting on a clinic in wedge play.
About the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, starting on Wednesday, he said: "All the fans
will have easy access to the course as there is no entry fee. We have made elaborate
arrangements to ensure that fans enjoy the proceedings on all four days of the tournament.
A giant TV screen will be installed in the 'public village' for them to catch up
the live action," he said.
"Different food and beverage outlets, charity putt competitions and free golf clinics
will further add to the carnival-like atmosphere at the village," Buamaim said,
adding: "We thank Jumeirah Golf Estates for sponsoring the Challenge Match."
'golf in DUBAi' is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium)
as the sponsor while BMW, CNN, Emirates Airline, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Jumeirah
Golf Estates, Jumeirah Group, MasterCard and wasl are co-sponsors of the event in
its drive to showcase the emirate's vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.
The Challenge match results:
1. Sophie Gustafson (Sweden) and Anna Nordqvist (Sweden) - three under par
2. In Kyung Kim (US) and Anja Monke (Germany) - two under
3. Michelle Wie (US) and Christina Kim (US) - Level par
4. Laura Davies (England) Catriona Matthew (Scotland) - one over
|