NAPLES, FLORIDA, Nov. 25, 2013 – The second-annual ISPS Handa Heroes charity event seemed to have a bit of Solheim Cup-feel to it as eight players, both past and present, paired together for a day of fun, yet intense competition. The duo of Azahara Munoz and Liselotte Neumann, who were members of this year’s victorious European Solheim Cup Team, came out on top in the charity scramble with a 5-under par finish in the nine-hole event.
Four teams of two consisting of one current LPGA star and one LPGA legend took to the Gold Course on Monday following the season-ending event, the CME Group Titleholders. Munoz and Neumann recorded five birdies and no bogeys en route to a 5-under-par finish and received $50,000 to donate to their two charities of choice: Fundación Maria Garcia-Estrada and Guide Dogs for the Blind.
“It was really fun,” said Munoz. “Actually everybody was saying yesterday that the season was over but you still have to play and I was really excited. I knew I was going to play with Lotta, and then today we found out we’d be playing with Meg and Brittany, so we had a great time out there. It’s for such a good cause and I’m so happy to help a foundation for a friend. It turned out really well for us. Lotta made some really good putts and I made a few good ones too. It was a good day overall.”
Munoz and Neumann went head-to-head with U.S. Solheim Cup member Brittany Lang and Captain Meg Mallon. It was only fitting for Munoz to play with a golf ball donning the European flag.
“This morning I found those three balls in my car, so I was like, ‘I’m totally using this ball,” said Munoz. “It’s fun. Actually, my first practice round on Tour ever was with Lotta, so it was really nice for her to play with me and Pernilla [Lindberg]. I’ve known her since then, and then obviously playing in Solheim she was my captain and she’s such a good girl and obviously a good competitor.”
Both teams were tied for the lead heading with Lizette Salas and Nancy Lopez, who lead the entire round and finished one hole ahead of them. Neumann sunk an 8-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to seal a one-shot victory.
“It was so fun to get to play with her,” said Neumann. “She’s such a great girl to be around. More than anything I think I really enjoy her company out there. She’s a steady little player. I never had to worry if I missed a shot today I was like, ‘She’ll take care of me. She’ll hit it right down the middle and we’ll figure it out.’ I think my stronger part it the short game. She’s just a joy to be around and great player so it was fun.”
The remaining three teams received $10,000 and finished as follows: Lizette Salas/Nancy Lopez 4-under-par, Brittany Lang/Meg Mallon, 4-under-par, and Jessica Korda/Beth Daniel, 2-under-par.
The event honored Dr. Haruhisa Handa, who is a devoted golf supporter and has played a significant role in showcasing the women's game around the globe. ISPS, the organization that he founded in 2006 to support charitable causes throughout the sporting world, currently sponsors more than a dozen professional golf events worldwide, including the ISPS Handa World Cup on the men’s European Tour, The Handa Cup and the ISPS Handa Legends Tour Open Championship on the Legends Tour and the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open on the LPGA Tour, won by South Korean Jiyai Shin.
The event will be broadcasted on Monday, Nov. 25 from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ET on Golf Channel and will replay on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 11:30 a.m.
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