Even seasoned golf pros can get wobbly knees as tournaments build to their climax.
Cristie Kerr, who has won 15 titles in her 16-year career, admitted to nerves as she stood over an uphill four-foot putt to win the LPGA Lorena Ochoa Invitational at the Guadalajara Country Club Sunday.
“It was hard to control the amount of adrenaline that was in my system,” said Kerr. “So I just tried to take some breaths and calm myself down.”Needless to say, the experienced 35-year-old Florida native kept her cool and drilled the putt into the center of the hole. With huge relief she punched the air, hugged her caddie and acknowledged the roars of the enthusiastic, 10,000-strong Tapatio crowd.
Kerr, 35, fired four rounds in the 60s to become the third U.S. winner in the five years of the tournament.
Her final round one-under-par 69 was one stroke better than fellow American Angela Stanford and South Korea’s Inbee Park, who had led for most of the tournament.
Kerr was overcome with emotion at the prize-giving ceremony and wiped away a few tears as she thanked husband Erik Stevens for his support during a difficult two years during which she has failed to land a title.
Kerr was also tearful as she embraced tournament host Lorena Ochoa, who finished tied in 18th place in her first LPGA start in two years.
Ochoa, who retired from the LPGA Tour in 2010 at the age of 28 to marry and start a family, said she “had tremendous fun on the course, with absolutely no pressure to win.”
Kerr and Ochoa are close friends and the winner said: “I admire Lorena not only for what she’s done in golf but also for what she’s done with her foundation and for the kids in Mexico.
“It’s really an honor to win this tournament. It means a lot more to me than just a win.
“The crowd here every year is so full of energy. They make this tournament. They’re always rooting for you and they appreciate the golf. And Guadalajara is terrific.”
A portion of the profits from the tournament are earmarked for Ochoa’s charitable foundation, which includes the operation of a primary school in Guadalajara for 250 underprivileged students.
Kerr is no stranger to fundraising herself, hosting an annual event to raise money for breast cancer research. Her mother was diagnosed with the disease in 2003.
Kerr’s 200,000-dollar winner’s check brings her career earnings to more than 14 million dollars.