Former Gator Sandra Gal Earns First LPGA Title at Kia Classic
Monday, March 28, 2011 | Women's Golf
INDUSTRY, Calif. – Former University of Florida golfer Sandra Gal won the Kia Classic on Sunday to become the second German winner in LPGA history, defeating second-ranked Jiyai Shin with a two-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at the Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms. The victory is the first of Gal's career on the LPGA Tour.
Gal, who starred at UF from 2004-2007, entered the final hole tied with Shin and she set up her birdie putt with a sand wedge shot from 83 yards on the par-5 18th that landed past the hole, but spun back, almost finding its way into the cup. She carded a 71 (-2) in her final round en route to claiming the title.
A transcript of Gal's post-tournament interview can be read here.
Gal will head to The Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA's first major tournament of the season, and compete from March 31-April 3 at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Play can be seen live on the Golf Channel, starting at 12:00 ET on Thursday, March 31.
