Suzann Pettersen earned September’s Kia Most Compelling Performance nomination when she notched back-to-back wins and became the first-ever winner of the LPGA’s fifth major, The Evian Championship. It marked her second major victory and first since the 2007 LPGA Championship. Two weeks earlier, the Norwegian won in Portland for the second time in her career with a two-stroke win at the Safeway Classic Presented by Coca-Cola.
“Kia congratulates Suzann Pettersen for earning September’s Kia Most Compelling Performance Award as well as for her unprecedented back-to-back victories,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing & communications, Kia Motors America. “This distinction puts Suzann in contention to win a 2014 Kia Cadenza sedan. As the brand’s most powerful and technologically-advanced vehicle in the U.S., the Cadenza elevates value to new levels of sophistication.”
Pettersen took over the No. 2 spot in the Rolex Rankings following her 12th and 13th victories, tying her previous highest ranked position. Pettersen is the eighth and final nominee for the Kia Most Compelling Performance Award.
“I’m honored to be nominated for this month’s Kia Most Compelling Performance,” said Pettersen. “It’s been probably the best month of my career with Europe winning the Solheim Cup, two wins in the last few weeks and also the success of my charity event earlier this month. To win in France was a dream come true and I’m glad to win a second major title.”
VIDEO: Watch highlights of Suzann Pettersen’s 2013 season
Previous “Kia Most Compelling Performance Award” winners in 2013 include Yani Tseng (February), Stacy Lewis (March), Inbee Park (April & June), Jennifer Johnson (May), Beatriz Recari (July) and Caroline Hedwall (August).
The 2013 “Kia Most Compelling Performance Award” winner will be announced at the season-ending 2013 CME Group Titleholders following an online fan vote (fan voting period is October 1-21, 2013). Performances may include a single tournament, multiple tournaments, single-round accomplishments or record-breaking performances. Winners of all the 2013 Kia Performance Awards will receive an all-new 2014 Kia Cadenza premium sedan.
The 2013 Kia Performance Awards are:
- Kia Power Drive – Won in 2012 by Brittany Lincicome; awarded to the player with the longest average driving distance
- Kia Drive to the Top – Won in 2012 by Stacy Lewis; awarded to the player with the most top-10 finishes
- Kia Most Compelling Performance – Won in 2012 by Inbee Park; recognizing a player with exceptional performances throughout the year; this award will be chosen by fans through an online vote
- Kia Community Assist – Won in 2012 by Angela Stanford; recognizing a player who makes exceptional contributions to charity organizations or community programs
Tseng earned the February “Kia Most Compelling Performance Award” for her Sunday surge at the Honda LPGA Thailand, where she fell just two strokes short of a “three-peat” following a final-round 63. Lewis was the March award winner on the heels of consecutive victories at the HSBC Women’s Champions and the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup, where she took over as No. 1 on the Rolex Rankings. Park earned the April award for her victories at the Kraft Nabisco Championship – where she took over as No. 1 from Lewis – and the North Texas LPGA Shootout and claimed the honor in June for sweeping all three LPGA Tour events staged that month. Johnson earned the accolade in May by becoming a Rolex First-Time Winner at the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic, holding off a group of players that included LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Karrie Webb and LPGA winners Jessica Korda and Anna Nordqvist. Beatriz Recari picked up the honor for July for her performance at the Marathon Classic Presented by Owens Corning & O-I where she outdueled American and nine-time LPGA winner Paula Creamer on Sunday for a one-shot victory. Caroline Hedwall earned the August nomination after she rewrote the Solheim Cup record books in Parker, Colorado and became the first player in the event’s 13-year history to go 5-0 in competition.
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