September 30, 2007
Maria Hjorth not only took home a trophy for winning the Navistar LPGA Classic, she also received a MXT truck.
PRATTVILLE -- Maria Hjorth (-14) overcame a two stroke deficit to claim her
third career LPGA Tour victory at the inaugural Navistar LPGA Classic.
Hjorth shot a final round 67 to defeat Stacy Prammanasudh (-13) by one stroke.
Hjorth came to the 17th hole tied with Prammanasudh for the lead and one shot ahead of third round leader, Lorena Ochoa (-12). After Ochoa reached the par 5 in two shots, Hjorth calmly sank a birdie putt from just off the green to take sole possession of the lead heading to the final hole.
A two-putt par allowed Hjorth to hang on to the lead and win her first
LPGA Tour tournament since 1999.
After the round, Hjorth talked about the victory and what it meant to her career. "It means a lot. You know, it means that all the work that you put in is really
is the right way you've been working. You know, especially knowing that I
went back to Q School in 2004 to get my card. Coming back from then and having a win now is a great feeling."
Earlier in the round, Ochoa made a bogey on the first hole to let a pack of players back in contention right out of the gate.
Ochoa came into the day looking for her fourth victory in as many
tournaments, but a 1-over par round of 73 left her in a tie for third
with rookie Angela Park (-12), who made ten birdies on her way to a round of
63.
"It's life, and it's golf," Ochoa said. "The first time it was three in a row then you win four, five or six. There's nothing else I can do except give myself another chance. Hopefully I can start another streak next week."
Amy Hung (-9) matched Park's 63 with one of her own to finish in sixth place.
