Jeff Brooke
Last updated on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 08:06PM EDT
TORONTO - Alena Sharp won the 2011 PGA Women’s Championship of Canada in a thrilling eight-hole playoff that took place over two days. She allowed no such drama and suspense Thursday in defending the title.
The LPGA Tour regular from Hamilton blew away the field at the PGA of Canada’s biggest tournament for female golfers, shooting eight-under-par 65 Thursday to win by 10 strokes.
After opening with 69 Wednesday, Sharp poured in nine birdies against one bogey at the Legend on the Niagara’s Ussher’s Creek course in Niagara Falls, Ont., to leave runners-up Laura Bavaird and Emma Jandel of the United States in her wake.
Sharp, who also won in 2004, 2010 champion Bavaird and Jandel were the only three women among the 44 finishers to break par.
Amateur Brogan McKinnon, 17, of Mississauga and LPGA Tour member Lisa Ferrero of the United States shared fourth place at even par.
“I was a little nervous to start and it was tight the first five or six holes and the collar got a little tight,” Sharp told pgaofcanada.com. “But I started to strike the ball really well and putted really well, so it was really nice to see.”
She made three birdies in a row beginning on the sixth hole and another three in a four-hole stretch on the back nine.
Her three career titles ties her with Nancy Harvey of Swift Current, Sask. Charlottetown native Lorie Kane, who didn’t play this year, has the most with five.
“It’s a great group to be in, that’s for sure,” Sharp said. “I’m only 31 years old and I’ll come and play in this championship whenever I can because it’s a nice two days for me to come and play, stay competitive and be at home with my family.”
The LPGA Tour regular from Hamilton blew away the field at the PGA of Canada’s biggest tournament for female golfers, shooting eight-under-par 65 Thursday to win by 10 strokes.
After opening with 69 Wednesday, Sharp poured in nine birdies against one bogey at the Legend on the Niagara’s Ussher’s Creek course in Niagara Falls, Ont., to leave runners-up Laura Bavaird and Emma Jandel of the United States in her wake.
Sharp, who also won in 2004, 2010 champion Bavaird and Jandel were the only three women among the 44 finishers to break par.
Amateur Brogan McKinnon, 17, of Mississauga and LPGA Tour member Lisa Ferrero of the United States shared fourth place at even par.
“I was a little nervous to start and it was tight the first five or six holes and the collar got a little tight,” Sharp told pgaofcanada.com. “But I started to strike the ball really well and putted really well, so it was really nice to see.”
She made three birdies in a row beginning on the sixth hole and another three in a four-hole stretch on the back nine.
Her three career titles ties her with Nancy Harvey of Swift Current, Sask. Charlottetown native Lorie Kane, who didn’t play this year, has the most with five.
“It’s a great group to be in, that’s for sure,” Sharp said. “I’m only 31 years old and I’ll come and play in this championship whenever I can because it’s a nice two days for me to come and play, stay competitive and be at home with my family.”
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