Winning Ways: Gay/Nordqvist

Last updated: 15th June 2009

BRIAN GAY - ST JUDE CLASSIC WINNER

In The Bag

Driver - TaylorMade r7
Fairway wood - Tour Edge Exotics CB2
Hybrid - Mizuno Fli-Hi CLK
Irons - Mizuno MK 900
Wedges - Titleist Vokey Spin Milled
Putter - Mizuno Bettinardi
Ball - Titleist ProV1

From regular loser to serial winner

Something curious happened to Brian Gay in Mexico in early 2008.

Prior to that trip he had played 291 times on the PGA Tour and made the top five on just nine occasions, never once winning.

But since he broke his duck he has gone a little mad: including that win at El Camaleon he has three wins and another two top fives in his last 41 starts.

Even more astonishing is the fact that he has won his second and third titles at such a canter - by ten and five strokes.

Final round authority

When Gay won at Harbour Town in April he took complete control of the tournament early in his final round. Leading by three on the first tee he went birdie-eagle to more or less tie the win up there and then.

It was a similar story in Southwind as two birdies in his first four holes stretched his lead to four shots and he never let up, giving his backers and fans an easy Sunday ride.

Hot flat stick

Gay's putting was magnificent all week and took full advantage of his excellent approach work.

On the 72nd hole he knocked his second shot to five feet and holed his 27th putt of the day.

Earlier in the week he had required just 26, 23 and 24 putts in the first three rounds.

Little wonder final round playing partner Bryce Molder said: "I didn't even get close to catching him."

ANNA NORDQVIST - MCDONALD'S CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER

Used to winning

You just can't beat that winning feeling and although Nordqvist is an LPGA rookie, her coach confirmed that she has never been shy of taking titles.

"Maybe not at this level, but she's used to winning," said Katarina Vangdal. "It's not a new thing for her."

Her most recent wins came last year - the British Amateur Championship followed by the medal honours at the LET Qualifying School.

An LPGA major was obviously a different kettle of fish entirely, but Nordqvist rarely looked fazed in a dazzling display.

Dropping the putts

Nordqvist and final round partner Lindsey Wright went into the final round clear of the field and spent much of the front nine sparring before the Swede moved clear down the stretch.

The winning margin was ultimately four shots, but putting had much to do with that as Nordqvist took 12 fewer shots on the greens than the Australian.

Inspired by Annika

Coming from Sweden it is inevitable that Nordqvist has huge respect for the career and achievements of Annika Sorenstam - indeed the younger player prides herself on a hard-working regime that replicates the dedicated approach of her idol.

On Sunday morning Vangdal collected a message from Sorenstam and passed it on to her protégé.

"Annika said take one shot at a time and enjoy it," Nordqvist later explained. "It meant a lot to know that there was that support behind you and that someone believes in you."