LPGA Tour Championship Presented by Rolex
The Houstonian Golf and Country Club
Richmond, Texas
Nov. 23, 2009

Final-round interviews: Anna Nordqvist | Lorena Ochoa | Na Yeon Choi | Kristy McPherson | Jiyai Shin

Final-round notes

Rookie Nordqvist wins season-ending LPGA Tour Championship Presented by Rolex
Ochoa wins Rolex Player of the Year by one point with 54th hole birdie

RICHMOND, Texas – In a week where the second-round took over 67 hours to finish and the event was cut to 54 holes, Anna Nordqvist needed just about two hours and eight holes to clinch her second-career victory on the LPGA Tour.  The 22-year-old Swede carded seven birdies in a span of eight holes in the final round to earn a two-stroke victory over 2009 Rolex Player of the Year Lorena Ochoa at the LPGA Tour Championship Presented by Rolex. 

“There were a lot of good players out there,” Nordqvist said after accepting the $225,000 first-place check.  “It was pretty tight up the leaderboard, so, I mean, you really gotta shoot low in order to pull it off. I was very, very happy with how I finished up the round.”

Nordqvist became the fourth multiple winner on the LPGA Tour this year with a victory at the Houstonian Golf & Country Club.  Nordqvist, who won her first-career major at the McDonald’s LPGA Championship Presented by Rolex, carded a 7-under-par 65 in the final round on Monday to join Ochoa, Jiyai Shin and Na Yeon Choi as multiple winners on Tour in 2009.  Her three-day tally of 13-under-par 203 (70-68-65) was enough to defeat world number one and four-time Rolex Player of the Year Lorena Ochoa by two shots.

Nordqvist birdied five consecutive holes to take a two-shot lead with six holes to play, but a bogey at 13 dropped her lead to one shot.  Ochoa then birdied the 15th to tie for the lead, but Nordqvist countered with birdies at 14 and 15 to go two shots up on Ochoa with three holes to play.  Ochoa made bogey from the sand on 17 and an important birdie on the 18th hole which clinched her fourth-consecutive Rolex Player of the Year award.

Multiple winners on 2009 LPGA Tour
3, Jiyai Shin, HSBC Women’s Champions, Wegmans LPGA, P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship Presented by John Q. Hammons
3, Lorena Ochoa, Honda LPGA Thailand, Corona Championship, Navistar LPGA Classic Presented by Monaco RV
2, Na Yeon Choi, Samsung World Championship, Hana Bank • KOLON Championship
2, Anna Nordqvist, McDonald’s LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola, LPGA Tour Championship Presented by Rolex

Weather-shortened events.  The LPGA Tour Championship Presented by Rolex was the seventh tournament since 1983 to be shortened from 72 to 54 holes. 

2009 LPGA Tour Championship Presented by Rolex, Anna Nordqvist 203 (-13)
2008 Sybase Classic Presented by ShopRite, Lorena Ochoa 206 (-10)
2006Sybase Classic Presented by Lincoln Mercury, Lorena Ochoa 208 (-5)
2003LPGA State Farm Classic, Candie Kung 202 (-14)
2000Japan Airlines Big Apple Classic Presented by GOLF MAGAZINE, Annika Sorenstam 206 (-7)
(Sybase Classic Presented by ShopRite)
1996McDonald’s LPGA Championship, Laura Davies 213 (E)
1983 Standard Register Turquoise Classic, Anne-Marie Palli 205 (-14)

 
Choi sets tournament record.  South Korean Na Yeon Choi carded four consecutive birdies to start her day and eagled the par-4 ninth hole to turn at 6-under-par 30 in Monday’s final round at the LPGA Tour Championship Presented by Rolex.  The two-time LPGA winner added three more birdies and a lone bogey at the 13th to set the tournament record at 8-under-par 64.  She finished the week tied for third with Kristy McPherson, who entered the final round with the lead for the third time in her career.

Kim crosses money milestone.  Song-Hee Kim crossed $1 million in season-earnings with her tie for fifth at the LPGA Tour Championship Presented by Rolex.  Kim is the 11th and final $1 million winner on Tour in 2009.

WD.  Michelle Wie, Seon Hwa Lee, Silvia Cavalleri and Candie Kung withdrew after the first round of the LPGA Tour Championship Presented by Rolex.  Carin Koch withdrew on Sunday.  Jin Young Pak withdrew after 12 holes in the second round.  Beth Bader and M.J. Hur withdrew Monday morning. Natalie Gulbis and Birdie Kim did not start the event.   Sarah Kemp was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard after her final round.

Final-round interviews: Anna Nordqvist | Lorena Ochoa | Na Yeon Choi | Kristy McPherson | Jiyai Shin

Anna Nordqvist, 70-68-65=203 (-13)

KIM BERARD:  You started off with a Rolex first‑time win this year at a major, no less, the LPGA Championship.  Now you are closing out the season with a huge win at an event presented by Rolex.  Let's go over your scorecard.  You obviously had a great string of birdies there in the middle.  That definitely put a lot of pressure on the field.
ANNA NORDQVIST:  I did.  I think I started hitting it pretty solid from the beginning today.  Made a birdie on No. 2.  Hit just short of the green and chipped it to maybe ten feet and made birdie there.
           
Gave myself a lot of good chances.  I thought I hit the putts where I wanted, but just didn't really get the pace.
           
Then No. 8, hit a hybrid in there and had a little bit longer putt, which I made, and just kept me going.
           
On 9, great 4‑iron to, I don't know how far to the pin it was, but I think that got me going.  Then just trusting the putting and let it happen.
           
And then just trying to stay in it and keep making birdies.
           
I made a bogey on 13, but that's gonna happen.
           
Then coming down the stretch, just staying aggressive.  I was very, very happy with how I finished up the round.

Q.  How aware were you of the player the year race?  Did you put that out of your mind and focus on what you were doing?
ANNA NORDQVIST:  No, I knew that Lorena and Jiyai was gonna have a pretty tight fight today.  I just think it's very fun to watch such two great players leaving it to the last tournament.  Makes it more fun for the fans and everyone watching.
           
I got the great honor to play with Jiyai today.  She played good.  I think she put herself in a good position.  Just Lorena played the best today, and she had a great year.  Congratulations to her.  It's fun to watch.  I grew up watching her a lot, so it's very fun to see.

Q.  There are so many off weeks next year on the LPGA schedule.  Will you play some LET events, too?
ANNA NORDQVIST:  Definitely.  I grew up playing in Europe, and I feel very strong for Europe.  I will definitely go back to Europe and play some over there, too.

Q.  In terms of today's play, did you think you would have to go as low as you did to win?  Were you trying to shoot a lower score and be very aggressive?
ANNA NORDQVIST:  I definitely tried to be aggressive today.  There were a lot of good players out there.  It was pretty tight up the leaderboard, so, I mean, you really gotta shoot low in order to pull it off.
           
So I knew I had to get in some good rounds.  Just very, very happy to ‑‑ that I did it.

Q.  You said something to your caddie or your caddie said something to you and you guys gave kind of a little knuckle bump right before you tee'd off?
ANNA NORDQVIST:  This morning?

Q.  Yeah.  Do you remember what was said, or is that something you guys always do?
ANNA NORDQVIST:  Yeah, something we always do.  Try to be positive and look forward to the day.

Q.  Would you mind sharing what you said?  Is it private?
ANNA NORDQVIST:  No, I don't remember.  Just go out and have a good day.  Put yourself in a good position and be aggressive.  But it's been fun.
           
You know, my caddie, Brian, it's been good teamwork out there.  He should get a lot credit for this win.

Q.  Some of the players have mentioned in the past, or this season, that you're quiet.  They write about you and call you the shy Swede.  You don't have a lot of personality.  You have personality, but you don't show it.  Can you talk about your personality?
ANNA NORDQVIST:  Yeah, I think a lot of people see me as shy.  I guess they don't know me.  No, I'm kind of the person who maybe doesn't say as much in public.  Once you get to know me, I'm very open, and hopefully very friendly.
           
I might not be the big talker, like the one who talks the most, but definitely if you get to know me, I'll ‑‑ I hope I'm kind of laid back.

Q.  You don’t show a lot of emotion?
ANNA NORDQVIST:  Yeah, no.  I mean, it's kind of like I don't think you can see if I'm playing good or if I'm playing bad.  It's kind of neutral.  More positive, hopefully.

Lorena Ochoa, 66-72-67=205 (-11)

Q.  Were just trying to post the lowest score you could or were you checking where Jiyai was during the round?
LORENA OCHOA:  Well, for sure I was aware.  But at the same time, I just was trying to win the tournament so I didn't have to worry about how she finished or if how I play or the points at the end of the day.
           
It really surprise me on the hole 13 when I look at the leaderboard and Anna already made two, three birdies and she was at 12.  So that was not a good feeling.
           
I'm just really proud the way that I finish.  I think it was important to make those few birdies, especially the bogey on 17.  That was a great save.  I can go and enjoy my time off.

Q.  So your last stroke as a single woman is a birdie.
LORENA OCHOA:  I like that.  It's a good memory.

Q.  Fourth straight Rolex player of the year.  How does that feel to you?
LORENA OCHOA:  Well, I think it's for sure really hard to explain right now, but I just think it's not about breaking records.  I always say that I want to stay at the top as long as I continue playing, so this is just a great year for me.
           
It's been tough in many different ways, but the important thing is I'm at the top.

Q.  What was your mind frame this morning?
LORENA OCHOA:  For sure yesterday it was a weird day, you know, just a different day.  I started early with bad swings, out of rhythm.  Especially we stop playing for two, three days.
           
It was cold in the morning, and then I start missing so many putts.  I couldn't get anything going.  I was really frustrated and I was really upset, because I had a great opportunity to shoot two or three under and stay in the lead.
           
But at the same time, if you were to ask me earlier this year, Will you take being in second place, you know, for the last round, I would take it always.
           
So I just put everything in perspective and say I'm gonna go and rest and get ready for tomorrow.

Q.  When you said to your caddy, I had 8 birdies, almost like surprised that you had all those birdies today.
LORENA OCHOA:  Yes.  That's what we're trying to do.  You never now how it's gonna happen.  This time, luckily, it was my day.  But I work so hard.  I try so hard.
           
I think for both of us, it was almost fair or not fair, you know losing or winning.

Q.  By this much?
LORENA OCHOA:  Yeah.  So I'm happy I can make history, and my goal is to continue that.  Hopefully I'm gonna get back home and work hard and be ready for next year.

Na Yeon Choi, 70-72-64=206 (-10)

Q. Pretty good round, huh?
NA YEON CHOI:  Yeah.

Q.  How did you play today?
NA YEON CHOI:  Today was perfect day.  Actually, I got one bogey, but I had one eagle and seven birdies.
           
Yeah, I had great day.  Just, yeah.

Q.  Can you talk about starting your day with four straight birdies.  How did that feel?
NA YEON CHOI:  Actually, I played this morning only last two hole.  I mean, I finished the second round bogey and bogey last two hole, and then I feel like not happy starting ‑‑ when I starting tee up.
           
But I make birdie, and that make me happy more and easy.  And then, I don't know, I'm just trying just one goal today.  Like just watching, you know, look at target.  Just that's it, yeah.

Q.  What club did you hit on No. 9, the shot you made from the fairway?
NA YEON CHOI:  I hit rescue, 19 degree.

Q.  What was the yardage?
NA YEON CHOI:  I think 175 to the pin and then into the wind, so 185 shot.

Q.  Did it go straight in or did it bounce?
NA YEON CHOI:  Bounce.  I think two, three bounce.

Q.  Putting‑wise, was the putter hot today, or were you hitting it close?
NA YEON CHOI:  I think both.  (Laughter.)  Perfect shot and perfect fairway, perfect iron.  Everything I think was good.

Q.  Did you feel like you still had a chance to win starting the third round, or just gonna go out there and shoot what I can shoot and see what happens?
NA YEON CHOI:  I'm just trying to play my game.  Just I didn't think about score.  Just try my goal and my game.

Q.  When you made the turn, did you look at the leaderboard and see that you were in the lead?
NA YEON CHOI:  Actually, I was looking at leaderboard No. 13.  Yeah.  I didn't know that I'm leading, but I think after that, I got one bogey, No. 14, yeah.
           
But after bogey, I was just talk with the caddie and like just play my game.  Don't look at leaderboard like that.

Q.  Right.  So you got a little nervous there?  A little excited?
NA YEON CHOI:  No, just exciting, yeah.

Kristy McPherson, 69-67-70=206 (-10)

Q.  Talk about your round today.
KRISTY McPHERSON:  Not very good.  Never got anything going.  Didn't make any bogeys, but that doesn't help a lot if you can't make any birdies.
           
Ran into a buzz saw with Anna out there.  She got on a nice little run and G.A. and I couldn't put any pressure on her.

Q.  Did you feel the pressure coming down the line?  Were you watching the scoreboard at all?
KRISTY McPHERSON:  No.  I mean, I didn't feel any pressure.  I was three shots back, so there wasn't any pressure.  I mean, you have nowhere to go but up from there.
           
Nobody is playing for second out here.  I knew that I had a lot of work to do, and unfortunately couldn't make any birdies.

Q.  How were the course conditions today?
KRISTY McPHERSON:  They were about as good as you could hope for with two days off in the middle of the week.  But, yeah, greens are nice.  Fairway's playing lift, clean, and place, and dried out a good bit from yesterday.  So it was nice.

Jiyai Shin, 70-67-73=210 (-6)

Q.  Talk about your round real quick.
JIYAI SHIN:  Well, today my putter was so bad.  No lucky today.

Q.  Okay.  Were you looking at the scoreboard at all?  Did you know what you had to do?
JIYAI SHIN:  Yeah, I know that, and then I have nervous after last few holes.  But I tried to just focus on my game.

Q.  When you're out there, does the player of the year come into it, or are you just out there just playing to win?
JIYAI SHIN:  Actually, first my play was ‑‑ my putter was so bad, so I try just focus on my game.

Q.  How often will you think of that tee shot on 17?  Is that gonna bother you for a while?
JIYAI SHIN:  No.  Actually hit was good, just wind take too far left.

Q.  Uh‑huh.  Uh‑huh.
JIYAI SHIN:  Just unlucky.  I saw the front, the groups that fly the ball, but just unlucky, I think.

Q.  How would you describe how you feel right now?  Are you proud of how close you came?  Are you disappointed that you came that close?
JIYAI SHIN:  Yeah, actually I try make to (indiscernible), but it's golf, I think.

Q.  Right.  When you struck that chip at 18, did you think it might have a chance to roll in?
JIYAI SHIN:  Roll close.  Really close.

Q.  Yeah.  And you were aware where you stood in relation to Lorena with where she was on the leaderboard the whole day?
JIYAI SHIN:  Uh‑huh.  Of course, yeah.

Q.  Was Jeff kind of keeping you aware?
JIYAI SHIN:  I had to make for the goal for the whole day, so I every day check the scoreboard.

Q.  Were you more nervous at the beginning of the round than usual?
JIYAI SHIN:  No, actually last two holes I got a little really nervous.  That's it.

Q.  Why do you think you did the last few holes get more nervous?
JIYAI SHIN:  Well, it's my shot ‑‑ my putting was so bad, and then I have lots of chance for birdie but everything miss.
           
I feel make it tight by myself.

Q.  But it wasn't missing by much.  Just like inches, lipping out.  You were close, right?
JIYAI SHIN:  Unlucky.