Azahara Munoz of Spain poses with the winner’s trophy. (AFP-Yonhap News)
GLADSTONE, New Jersey (AP) ― Azahara Munoz beat Candie Kung 2 and 1 to win the Sybase Match Play Championship, a title that was set up when Morgan Pressel was penalized for slow play while in control of their semifinal match.
It was the first LPGA Tour win for Munoz, but this was shrouded in controversy. It also will put more focus on pace of play in golf.
Pressel appeared to take a 3-up lead with a par at the 12th hole at the Hamilton Farm Golf Club.
But before she could tee off on No. 13, tour official Doug Brecht informed her that she had violated the tour’s pace of play rule and lost the hole, dropping her lead to 1-up and changing momentum.
Munoz, a former Arizona State star from Spain, then rallied to beat Pressel 2 and 1.
Pressel beat Vicky Hurst 2 and 1 in the third-place match. Kung beat Hurst 2 and 1 in the semifinals.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
