Cristie Kerr's twelve stroke win at the LPGA Championship presented by Wegmans is... without a doubt... one for the ages.
After all, it was a major championship on an very tough course, and she dominated (some said annihilated) an ultra-elite field. ~ The victory also broke two tournament records: the 72-hole total of 19-under 269 and the 12-shot margin were both unprecedented. It was simply the biggest win this tournament has ever seen.
By some accounts it was Cristie's ability to extricate her ball from the tall, tangly US Open-standard rough that really set her apart from the rest of the field... also mentioned her prowess with a new putter that particularly suits her stance and stroke. But having spent time with Cristie, I've witnessed first-hand her dedication to the game... and a determination that goes way beyond anything I've ever seen before or since. In anyone. It's nothing short of remarkable.
I've written a number of times about Cristie Kerr's consistency... the 323 weeks of top 10 finishes and 74 consecutive cuts made... and I knew it was just a matter of time till she won anther major. Admittedly, I was as impressed as anyone at the sheer magnitude of it.
Last week on the Jersey Shore, during the ShopRite Classic, I spent some time with Erik Stevens, Cristie's charismatic husband. He's sports marketing whiz who also acts as his wife's agent, and we discussed a writing project we're currently working on. But mainly he spoke ... with excitement and admiration... about Cristie, how dedicated she was to golf and how close he felt she was to achieving one of her life's goals: to become the number one female golfer in the world.
It turns out that will happen tomorrow. When the world rankings are released, Cristie is projected to overtake Japan's Ai Miyazato, who also played stellar golf today, firing a 66. ~ But the tournament belonged to Cristie, who called it "a dream performance". Erik, in a text he sent shortly after the win, simply called it amazing.
Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images North America)
Twelve strokes is incredible and she is quite deserving.
ReplyDeleteThis was definitely the way to win. It's going to make the Women's Open very exciting to watch.
ReplyDeleteI caught snippets of the first two days in London then with traveling all day yesterday didn't hear about the win till this morning. Congrats to Ms. Kerr!
ReplyDeletePatricia, did you see the extra Limerick Summary I did for Cristie's win? I posted one for her and one for Bubba (and yes, you can use it).
ReplyDeleteIn the past decade we've had the Annika era and the Lorena era. I have a feeling this is the start of the Cristie era! :)
ReplyDeleteKerr was right in comparing her win to Tiger's at Pebble Beach ... she made a major championship a no-contest after the second round
ReplyDeleteDidn't get to see her win so I'm hoping she plays just as well at the Women's Open.
ReplyDeleteCan't deny the determination. I can only imagine how happy she and her husband are. Not to mention her Mom. :o)
ReplyDeleteThought I didn't get to watch it live I was overjoyed to read about Cristie's victory. What an amazing and well deserved win.
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ReplyDeleteyes, this win for cristie is historic, but i also see it as another great player with the physical ability overcoming the mental part and just going out and doing it
frankD
ft lauderdale
You definitely have a point about the mental game Frank. From start to finish Cristie radiated the kind of calm, confidence that's necessary to produce a win like that. Remember Annika Sorenstam? I was reminded of her watching Cristie at the LPGA Championship.
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ReplyDeletejennifer,
i reminded me of the story i read - "THE ORACLE SPEAKS" by HARVEY PENICK
it highlights, IMHO, how subtle the connection between mind and body can be
frankD
ft lauderdale
I wonder if Kerr loves the new groove rules?
ReplyDelete12 strokes is just incredible...as is Cristie.
ReplyDeleteCristie said it herself: Winning by two or three is great, but winning by 12 shots is ridiculous. It’s obscene.” And now she's #1 on Rolex Ranking what a champion!
ReplyDeletepinkdivagolf.com/blog/
OMG Christie was extraordinary and validated the incredible power of the mental aspects of "any" sport! her extraordinary performance is a such HUGE inspiration to me that I can not put it into words ~
ReplyDeleteThank you Christie!