CATRIONA MATTHEW FINISHES TIED 39TH FOR $8,705 PAYDAY

SWEDE SUCCESS FOR ANNA 

NORDQVIST IN CALIFORNIA

FROM THE LPGA TOUR WEBSITE
Anna Nordqvist of Sweden claimed her fourth LPGA Tour victory after carding a 5-under 67 in the final round of the Kia Classic at Aviara Golf Club, Carlsbad, California
Nordqvist started two shots off the lead on Sunday and finished with six birdies and a bogey on the par 5 17th hole to top American Lizette Salas by one shot.
Nordqvist shot a first-round 73 on Thursday and was in a tie for 53rd after 18 holes. But the 27-year old shot back-to-back 67’s on the weekend to close.
“I’m very excited,” said Nordqvist. “Just still can’t believe it. I was a couple shots back going into today and just told myself to give it a shot. I ended up making quite a bit of birdies out there. So obviously very happy and excited I’ve had two wins this season.”
It was Nordqvist’s second win in her four starts this season and joins Karrie Webb as the only two-time winners in 2014. After her win in Thailand last month, the Arizona State University graduate said she was close to stepping away from the game in the offseason.
“I was pretty disappointed after last year, not going to lie,” said Nordqvist. “Felt like I played pretty good, but I knew I had to do a couple changes to play even better. 
"It’s just great sitting here now. I’m proud of myself for taking some hard decisions. You know, I worked extremely hard this off-season. They had to drag me off the range.”
Nordqvist changed swing coaches, clubs and apparel company leading into the 2014 season and the tough decisions have seemed to be paying off.
“You know, I think the decision was just it was either I was going to keep working on the it or just, you know, keep practising or playing like I had been,” said Nordqvist. 
“But I think I really set my mind up because I wanted to be in contention and win tournaments.”
Nordqvist got started with a five-foot birdie on her first hole and picked up two more before making the turn on Nos. 8 and 9. She extended her lead to two shots with another birdie on the par 4 13th hole and to three shots on No. 14 – both with short putts.
Lexi Thompson made a run, finishing the final round with birdies on four of her last six holes to get to 11-under par. She finished in solo third at 11-under par.
“I actually didn’t think about a number going in,” said Thompson. “I obviously knew I had to get to double-digits. I had to take one shot at a time and play the way I did the last three days. Pretty solid.”
Nordqvist was in the second to last group of the day and closed with a two-foot par putt to stay at 13-under.
“Yeah, my hands were definitely shaking,” said Nordqvist of the final putt. “I knew if I could get that one in I was going to be in a good position. You never know. 
"The greens are a little bit bumpy. And with the sun setting a little bit you seem to see every footprint and spike mark. I tried not this focus on that and just see the hole.”
Third-round leader Lizette Salas played in the final group with fellow American Cristie Kerr and approached the 18th hole two shots behind Nordqvist. The Azusa, California native sank a seven-foot birdie putt on the final hole, but it was too little too late.
“It feels good to have that finish after nine straight pars,” said Lizette. “I mean, all pars in the front. Just not getting it close and not striking the ball as well as the first three days…I hit the ball great off the tee today. The putts just wouldn’t roll in.” Last spots for Kraft secured
Several players secured spots in golf’s first major with their play this week at the Kia Classic. Dori Carter (T10), Tiffany Joh (T43) and Laura Diaz (T32) played their way in by Category 12: top-10 spots on the 2014 LPGA Official Money List, within the top 80 otherwise not qualified at the conclusion of the Kia Classic. 
Catriona Matthew, with rounds of 74, 72, 68 and 73 finished T39 on 287 and earned $8,705
Yorkshire's Jodi Ewart Shadoff finished T43 on 288 (68-75-72-73) for a $6,880 cheque).

Quote of the Day
“Anything is possible, and I think yesterday my brother sent me a message saying ‘To hit it five feet requires skill; to make it go in is luck; to do both is hard work paying off.’”
–Laura Diaz talking about some outside motivation she got after working on her mental approach.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS, PRIZE MONEY
Par 288 (4x72) Players from USA unless stated
275 Anna Nordqvist (Sweden) 73 68 67 67 ($255,000)
276 Lizette Salas 69 68 69 70 ($155,874)
277 Lexi Thompson 69 70 70 68 ($113,075)
278 Chella Choi (S Korea) 74 65 70 69 ($87,473)
279 Cristie Kerr 68 68 70 73 ($70,406)

SELECTED TOTALS
280 Inbee Park (S Korea) 69 71 72 68, Stacy Lewis 70 66 73 71 (T6) ($46,511 each)
287 Catriona Matthew (Scotland) 74 72 68 73 (T39) ($8,705)
288 Jodi Ewart Shadoff (England) 78 75 72 73 (T43) ($6,880).


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MONEY
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