Fourth win for rookie Hedwall

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December 11, 2011

Caroline Hedwall picked up the fourth win of her incredible rookie season at the Hero Women’s Indian Open on Sunday.

Caroline Hedwall notched the fourth win of her rookie season on the Ladies European with a closing 69 at the Hero Women’s Indian Open.
The 22-year-old Swede had five birdies and two bogeys in her final round at DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon, New Delhi, to finish with a winning score of 12 under 204 and two ahead of Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum.
Hedwall said that the victory will give her huge self belief going into next week’s season-ending Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
“It gives me a lot of self confidence. It’s been a great week and I’m very excited about this win,” she said. “I just tried to focus on myself and try to play the same game I’ve played for the last few days. I did manage to stay patient, which was my goal for the day.”
The victory means she can overhaul second placed Melissa Reid on the 2011 Henderson Money List in Dubai, but she cannot catch top ranked Ai Miyazato.
Pornanong, a two-time winner of the Indian Open before it became sanctioned by the LET in 2010, carded a 70 to end 10 under, while Becky Morgan from Wales had a 69 to finish third at eight under.
Swede Linda Wessberg signed for a 73 to tie for fourth with Lee-Anne Pace (68) on four under par.
Hedwall started the day with a one stroke lead but Pornanong and Wessberg both caught her with birdies on the first hole.
Pornanong took the outright lead after Hedwall bogeyed the fifth, but a run of four straight birdies from the seventh saw the young Swede quickly establish a three shot advantage.
Hedwall three-putted the short 11th and her lead was then cut to a stroke after Pornanong birdied the 13th. But after Hedwall sank a four-footer for birdie on the 15th, the Thai bogeyed the 16th and Hedwall had a three shot cushion coming down the last.
Her drive landed under a tree and she was forced to lay-up short of the water protecting the green, but she finished the job with a par.
“I think because I led by three I just tried to stay cool and I was pretty cool,” Hedwall said. “I had to chunk it in the water to miss the win, but I know I don’t do that from 90 yards.”
Hedwall added that there would be little celebration as she was flying to Dubai the same evening, although she might enjoy a meal with her mother, Yvonne, who acted as her caddie for the week.
She added that she couldn’t believe the success she has enjoyed in her rookie season, having also been a key member of Europe’s victorious Solheim Cup team.
“It’s just incredible. I can’t believe it myself to be honest. It’s been a great year and I’m happy that it’s gone so well.”
In contrast it was a bitter-sweet end for Phatlum who said that she felt nervous on the last day.
“My effort today was not good enough. I had very good approaches, but my putting was a let-down,” said 22-year-old Phatlum, who is a rookie on the US LPGA.
Korea’s Do Yeon Kim had the round of the week, a seven under 65 to end joint 12th, while Sharmila Nicollet was awarded a ladies’ scooter by the title sponsor, Hero MotoCorp, as the best placed Indian competitor in a share of 22nd.
The leading amateurs, Gauri Monga, 17 and Vani Kapoor, 16, both from Delhi, who tied for 37th and 57th respectively, were given gold coins in recognition of their achievements by the Women’s Golf Association of India.
Meanwhile, Christina Kim, who tied for 29th, donated half of her earnings from the tournament to fellow golf professional, Smriti Mehra’s charity, The Golf Foundation, which is aimed at helping underprivileged youngsters in India to play golf.