DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., April 7, 2015- LPGA Tour veteran Cristie Kerr held off a hard charging world No. 1, Lydia Ko, with four consecutive birdies on Nos. 13-16 for a comeback win at the 2015 Kia Classic. Kerr’s win ended a 42-event winless drought, earning her the Kia Most Compelling Performance for March.
Kerr, a 17-time LPGA winner, played consistent all week on the Aviara Golf Club, but she saved her best for last with a final-round, 7-under 65 that started with four birdies on the front nine. Kerr’s final score of
20-under par (268) broke the tournament record by six shots.
TWEET IT! .@CKGolferChic takes home March’s #LPGAKiaAwards w/her 17th Tour win @LPGAKiaClassic!
Kerr became the first American winner on the LPGA Tour this year upon ending her winless drought that dated back to her last victory at the 2013 Kingsmill Championship. The 37-year-old had another “first” at the Kia Classic; her first
victory as a mother. Her 15-month-old son, Mason, was present on the 18th green to celebrate with her as she knocked in her final putt to clinch the win.
The 2015 Kia Most Compelling Performance Award winner will be announced at the season-ending 2015 CME Group Tour Championship following an online fan vote (fan voting will begin October 1, 2015).
Performances may include a single tournament, multiple tournaments, single-round accomplishments or record-breaking performances. Winners of all the 2015 Kia Performance Awards will receive an all-new 2016 Kia Sorento, Kia’s best-selling CUV.
The 2015 Kia Performance Awards are:
Kia Power Drive - awarded to the player with the longest driving distance
Kia Drive to the Top - awarded to the player with the most top-10 finishes
Kia Most Compelling Performance - recognizing a player with an exceptional performance throughout the year; this award will be awarded monthly then the year-end winner will be chosen by fans through an online vote
Kia Community Assist- recognizing a player who makes exceptional contributions to charity
organizations or community programs
For more information on the Kia Performance Awards visit: http://www.lpga.com/kiaperformanceawards