Stanford Praises Wie as she Overtakes her to Win LPGA Tour Opener

by harringtola | February 16, 2009 at 08:29 pm

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At the SBS Open at Turtle Bay (LPGA), although Wie was in the final group of this first big event of the season, it was not her time. Instead this was the day for LPGA tour professional, Angela Stanford.

Image Source: Star-Telegram.com

"I didn't think she was going to make a mistake," world number eight Stanford told reporters of Wie in the final round.

"She played really smart for about 10 holes. She does a lot of things right and she's going to be around for a long time."

Teenager Wie, making her first start as an LPGA member, saw her title chances fade with a double-bogey at the 11th and had to settle for second place after carding a 73.

Angela Stanford held off rookie Michelle Wie to win her fourth LPGA Tour title by three shots at the season-opening SBS Open in Hawaii on Saturday.

Tied for the overnight lead with fellow American Wie, Stanford trailed by three strokes with eight holes remaining before taking control with a spectacular burst of three consecutive birdies from the 13th.

Stanford entered this contest as number 8 in women's golf rankings. Having tied for 16th at her 2008 showing at this first event of the season, Angela made significant strides and had a strong finish to the 2008 season which put her in this spot coming into 2009.

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