Yoo wins LPGA match play
GLADSTONE, N.J. — Angela Stanford was a bit feisty when the inevitable question was asked after her loss in the Sybase Match Play Championship final.
After all, the 32-year Texan and other top American players are tired of talking about their staggering LPGA Tour victory drought.
"I don't make anything of it. I think you guys (the media) make a lot out of it," Stanford said. "We're a global tour and I wasn't trying any less out there. ... If anything, I was trying harder because I know that it just keeps coming up."
Stanford's 3-and-1 loss to South Korea's Sun Young Yoo on Sunday at Hamilton Farm left U.S. players winless in eight straight events and 25 of 26. Michelle Wie, eliminated in the quarterfinals Saturday by top-ranked South Korean star Jiyai Shin, is the lone American champion in the last 54 weeks.
Without being asked, Stanford addressed the financial impact of foreign dominance.
"Do I think an American needs to No. 1?" said Stanford, wearing a red, white and blue outfit fit for a Solheim Cup — complete with Americans flags on her shoes. "Yes, that would probably help sponsorship. I mean, everybody knows it."
The 23-year-old Yoo won for the first time in five seasons on the LPGA Tour, giving Asian players their seventh victory in seven events this year.
"My goal was to get past the first two days," Yoo said. "I did a lot better."
Seeded 28th, Yoo survived six matches — four in the last two days — in the toughest quarter of the 64-player draw. She beat No. 32 Karen Stupples, No. 5 Cristie Kerr, No. 12 Song-Hee Kim, No. 4 Yani Tseng and No. 1 Shin before finishing off No. 10 Stanford.
"It was tough," Yoo said. "I tried to be a little more aggressive out there because it's match play. I think it worked out pretty good."
Yoo wasn't aggressive with the title at stake late on the cloudy, muggy afternoon, patiently playing away from trouble and needing only pars to win Nos. 13 and 14 for a 1-up lead.
