Major Redemption for Suzann Petterson

[Bag Chatter]

by shoe295

<p><img width="131" height="170" align="right" src="http://www.golfwrx.com/BagChatter/wp-content/uploads/suzann Petterson.jpg" alt="" />Susann Petterson used a borrowed putter to shoot a back nine 32 to win the LPGA McDonald's Championship by one shot over Karrie Webb and two over 18 year old Na On Min.  The back nine at Bulle Rock was some of the most compelling golf I've seen this year.</p>
<p>Petterson borrowed the Ping Doc putter from one of her amateur partners Tuesday and never bothered to return it. She certainly put it to good use,especially Sunday when Karrie Webb mounted a charge with a 32 of her own on the back nine.  Brushing off the final four hole <a href="http://www.desertsunonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070402/EVENTS11/704020322/1127/events11">melt-down at the Kraft Nabisco</a>, Petterson hit the shots and made the putts to win her first major.  Webb settled for second place for the second year in a row. 
<p>Just over a month removed from the melt-down at the Kraft Nabisco, Petterson proved that she learned from the experience by making key birdies down the stretch on her way to a final round score of -5. The wayward driving and course management issues which marked her play at the Kraft Nabisco were completely abscent. Petterson methodically found her way from tee to green throughout the back nine despite some serious pressure from her opponents.</p>
<p>Karrie Webb playing in the group ahead knew she had to make up some ground and did carding four birdies on the back nine and making a key par save on the 16th hole after finding the fairway bunker off the tee and then closing with two birdies on 17 and 18. Webb said, "<span class="bodytext">I knew what happened to her at Kraft, and I just knew I needed to keep putting pressure on her. She obviously executed very well coming down the stretch, and she should be very proud of herself. It shows a lot of courage and guts and trust in her ability."</span></p>
<p>Na On Min, the third round leader, appeared to fall victim to the nerves expected of an 18 year old non-exempt player leading her first Major on Sunday with three bogies in a row on the front side.  I sat in my chair nodding the knowing nod of the wise sure that she was self destructing on the way to a final round 80 something.  But the kid righted herself and also torched the back nine with four birdies in a row on the way to her own 32.  So much for the wise omniscient nodding guy watching on television.  Impressive does little to credit the ability of young Na to play a shot, put the result behind her and play the next shot.  Amazing ability to stay in the moment. </p>
<p>However, the trophy and the day would belong to Petterson, "<span class="bodytext">I finally proved to all of you that I can actually put it all together and take a major. So now, I probably don't have to get that question again." </span>Once again this weekend showed just how marvelous the talent is on the LPGA Tour.  Now if they could just get the marketing machine cranked up to get the word out about the quantity and quality of the players they put on display.</p>
<p>Photo : Getty Images</p>

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