Hurst Advances To Semis of LPGA Sybase Match Play
By Golf // May 19, 2012
GOLF UPDATE
GLADSTONE, N.J. – Vicky Hurst defeated Meena Lee 2 & 1 Thursday in the first round of the LPGA Sybase Match Play Championships.
In Friday’s second round Hurst proved to be too much of a match against No. 5 seed Cristi Kerr after taking it to 19 holes as Kerr conceded to par.
On Saturday morning, Angela Stanford may have been considered the favorite in the third round morning’s match up, but Hurst again has proven she can take out higher ranked competitors.
Hurst eliminated Stanford 2 and 1 to move on to the afternoon’s fourth round.
Hurst Inches Closer To First Pro Golf Title
Moving on to the fourth round, Saturday afternoon, So Yeon Ryu found herself up against a fierce match play competitor in Hurst. Knowing that Hurst had already defeated fellow Americans Cristie Kerr and Angela Stanford in her previous two matches Ryu continued to apply pressure as she took the lead in the match three different times only to have Hurst battle back to all-square.
“We both played pretty solid, I think, the whole day,” Hurst said. She was 1up, all square, and 1up, all square. I mean, we both stayed pretty mentally tough. In the end, I just managed to pull it out.”
Hurst took her first lead with a par on the 15th and then applied the pressure with a bird on the 16th to go dormie (being in the lead by as many holes as are still to be played.)
It was over on the 18th when Ryu, forced to go for the par 5 in two, found herself with an almost impossible up and down. The hole was conceded when Hurst, only needing par, left her birdie putt just inches short; securing the win with concession.
“We both played pretty solid, I think, the whole day,” Hurst said. She was 1up, all square, and 1up, all square. I mean, we both stayed pretty mentally tough. In the end, I just managed to pull it out.”
Hurst advances into the semifinals matched against Candie Kung, a four-time tour winner.
With a little consistency this season Hurst could end up making her stamp on the LPGA Tour if she wins this week.
