CATRIONA MATTHEW HAS A CLUSTER OF LATE BOGEYS TO FINISH JOINT 11TH

LEXT THOMPSON WINS KRAFT NABISCO CHAMPIONSHIP BY THREE SHOTS

FROM THE LPGA TOUR WEBSITE

Lexi Thompson of the USA proudly holds the trophy after her three shot win during the final round of the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club on April 6, 2014 in Rancho Mirage, California.

Mission Hills Country Club
Dinah Shore Tournament Course, Rancho Mirage, California
Sunday Notes and Interviews
April 6, 2014
Lexi Thompson, Rolex Rankings No. 9, -14
Michelle Wie, Rolex Rankings No. 38, -11
Minjee Lee, Top Amateur, E
Lexi Thompson started her day with a birdie and didn’t look back as she fired a bogey-free 68, the low round of the day, to capture a three-shot victory over Michelle Wie at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship.
“Well, it was an amazing day,” Thompson said. “Starting off with a birdie definitely helped. But just hitting that first tee shot obviously a little nervous, but it was definitely what I’ve been practicing for, what I live for, to play under that pressure and to get a major win under my belt, especially the Kraft Nabisco. It’s such a huge honor to win this tournament.”
With the win Thompson captured her first-career major becoming the second-youngest player to win a major championship in the process.
“It’s a great feeling. This is what I’ve worked so hard for,” Thompson said. “This was one of my goals coming into the year, to win a major. I’ve always seen myself winning a Kraft Nabisco. It’s such a huge honor with all the history behind the tournament. It’s just a dream come true.”
Thompson’s play drew praise from the golf world including her playing partner and tournament runner-up Michelle Wie.
““(Lexi) played amazing today. She played probably the best I’ve ever seen her play. She hit the ball so well. She made everything. It was just hard to catch up to her all day today, but I’m really happy for her. I’m really proud of her,” Wie stated.
Young Closer
With the win, Thompson has now won the last four times that she held the lead going into the final round of a tournament. All four of Thompson’s career victories have come when she has slept on the lead heading into the final day.
“It’s been great,” Thompson said. “This is what I’ve worked my whole life for and practiced my butt off for, but especially the off season. This was one of my main goals, to come into this year to play on International Crown was one of my goals, but to win a major has been a goal of mine my whole life, especially this year. I’m going to continue to work hard and set even more goals for the rest of the year.”
WIE comes up just short
Michelle Wie shot a final round 71 to finish the tournament at -11 in solo second, her best finish in a major championship.
“You know, it was a lot of fun playing in contention, being in the final group,” Wie said. “It was nice to be in the final group at Kraft again. I think it’s a sign. I think I’m getting close. I think I can get a lot of confidence from this week. I think I’m improving and improving, and I think getting second at a major, I think it means that I’m close, and I’m really proud of myself, and I’m really excited for the upcoming events. There’s four more majors left this year, and I’m just really proud of myself, and I just want to keep improving a little bit every day.”
Charley Hull finished joint seventh on 284 after a final round - the same disappointing last round as achieved by Catriona Matthew.
The Scot, after a great fightback from four over par after only her first four holes in the first round, saw her effort come apart at the seams over her final inward half.
Catriona boged the first but birdied the 12th to get back to level pegging for the round ... only to bogey the 13th, 15th, 16th and 17th
She earned $33,911 for a joint 11th finish  - the same as Karrie Webb - but it could have been so much more but for that late deluge of bogeys.  
Question: When did USA players last finish 1-2-3 in a major?
Low Amateur
Minjee Lee (Australia) had a tough start to the day with a double bogey, birdie, bogey on the first three holes, but it all evened out over the remainder of the round.
“I birdied the ninth, so it was like, okay, I’m coming back.” Lee said. “That was good, and then I made a couple birdies coming in, so just finished with even.”
Overall, Lee walked away from her first appearance at the Kraft Nabisco Championship satisfied with her performance and the experience in general.
“It was such a great week. I had a great time, like just the atmosphere and having the crowds, and it was just really good. I haven’t experienced this before, so it was really good.”
Her one disappointment in the week was not being able to play alongside one of the players she has long watched from afar.
“I really wanted to play with Suzann (Pettersen), but she didn’t play this week unfortunately.” Lee said. “Just when I watched TV and stuff, she’s always been like my favorite. I think she’s just really determined, and we can see that definitely. Just her game is great.”
Thompson Takes Early Lead for Rolex ANNIKA Major Award
With her win at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, Lexi Thompson has earned 60 points and taken the early lead in the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award standings.
The Rolex ANNIKA Major Award recognizes the player who, during a current LPGA Tour season, has the most outstanding record in all five major championships. Points will be awarded at all five major championships to competitors who finish among the top-10 and ties. To take home the award, a player must also win at least one of the five majors.
The winner of the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award will be announced in a ceremony at the Evian Championship, wrapping up what promises to be an exciting season of majors in 2014.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
players from USA unless stated
274 Lexi Thompson 73 64 69 68 ($300,000)
277 Michelle Wie 67 71 68 71 (187,584)
281 Stacy Lewis 73 70 69 69 (136.079)
282 Cristie Kerr 69 70 71 72, Se Ri Pak (S Korea) 67 70 71 74 (94,990 each)
283 Shanshan Feng (China) 66 73 72 72 (69,323)
284 Angela Stanford 74 69 69 72, Azahara Munoz (Spain) 72 70 70 72, Charley Hull (England) 73 69 66 76 ($51,522 each)
SELECTED TOTALS
286 Karrie Webb (Australia) 73 70 70 73, Catriona Matthew (Scotland) 72 68 70 76 ($33,911 each).

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