After a 5-and-4 win over Rolex Rankings No. 7 Hyo Joo Kim on Wednesday, Alison Lee had a gut-it-out match with Megan Khang on Thursday. The MGM Resorts ambassador eked out a 1-up win thanks to a birdie on the par-5 18th.
“I literally had to aim 3 feet left [of the hole at 18] and tap it because it was downhill. Just prayed for the best,” said Lee. “We [Megan and I] are really close friends, so it was a fun day. Definitely stressful the last few holes on the back nine. We both weren't playing our best, but tried to battle through it and that putt on the last hole was really big for me.”
The 2015 USA Solheim Cup veteran fell behind by two through six holes, but she righted the ship. From Nos. 9-13, Lee won four holes to go from 2 down to 2 up and establish some momentum, which gave her a boost on No. 18.
“I was hitting it pretty solid on the front nine. She just made a couple birdies and I had one bad hole that kind of got her to 2-up,” Lee said. “I tried to stay confident. My caddie Tyler [Ekenberg], too, we both tried to stay positive out there. Anything can happen in match play, so tried my best to take it one hole at a time.”
Lee heads off the first tee tomorrow at 11:40 a.m. PT against fellow Las Vegas resident Jenny Shin. A win or tie, and Lee is on to the Round of 16.
JENNY COLEMAN CONTINUES MAGICAL WEEK AT SHADOW CREEK
Yesterday, Brooke Henderson. Today, Angela Stanford. Two days, two upsets for Jenny Coleman at the Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play Hosted by Shadow Creek.
The 28-year-old Coloradan, playing in just her second career match-play event, is 2-0 in this week’s competition following Thursday’s 2-and-1 victory over match-play veteran Stanford. Coleman held a 3-up lead through six holes, but Stanford clawed back into the match and tied it up with a birdie on No. 13.
“I was just kind of like, ‘It's all right. It's swinging her way,’” said Coleman. “I mean, I got it early; she's going to get it there. We'll see how the last few holes work out. That's it.”
Feeding off those steadying thoughts, Coleman reclaimed the lead by getting up and down for par at No. 15 and ultimately took the win on 17. With two big wins under her belt, Coleman is living proof that in match play, it doesn’t matter your seed or your pedigree. All that matters is the hole in front of you.
“I've got the game. Just sticking to my game and playing smart, and my caddie is there and we're seeing similar shots and similar plays,” said Coleman, who will take on Ashleigh Buhai in Friday’s final match at 2:30 p.m. PT. “No doubles, keep the bogeys to a minimum and grind out the up and downs for par. When you have birdie chances, you have to capitalize.”
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