Hyett holds on from Davies and Simpson

(Salamander Bay, Australia, February 16 2003) Australia’s Tamara Hyett endured the full gamut of emotions during the final round of the ALPG Players Championship at Horizons GC, eventually winning her maiden title at the first extra hole against England’s Laura Davies, who set a new course record six under 67.

In the playoff, Hyett birdied the 18th for the fourth time this week and Davies’ attempt to extend sudden death slipped agonisingly past the hole.

“I battled hard all day long,” said Hyett. “I had a slump in the middle but fought back with those two birdies at the end. It was great playing with Laura, she was encouraging all day long – It was a dream for me to be playing alongside her and to win as well, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Davies will take encouragement from an amazing final round performance as she heads to the Evian Tour’s opening event of the season, the ANZ Masters, next week at Royal Pines GC on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

“I’m disappointed right now, my record has never been good in playoffs but hats of to Tamara, she did well, “ said Davies.

“Going into this morning I was playing for third place, so I went one better than that. But I’m happy because I am driving it well, playing some aggressive golf and my confidence is up for the next two weeks.”

Leading final scores (Aus unless stated): 281 – Tamara Hyett 68 68 69 76 (£5,500), Laura Davies (Gbr) 71 74 69 67 (£3,700) (Hyett won with birdie at first hole of sudden-death play-off) 282 – Georgina Simpson (Gbr) 69 71 68 74 (£2,600) 285 – Trish Johnson (Gbr) 72 72 73 68, Maria Hjorth (Swe) 72 70 73 70 (£1,685 each) 286 – Samantha Head (Gbr) 73 70 72 71, Nadina Taylor 73 71 72 70 287 – Rebecca Stevenson 74 73 68 72 288 – Johanna Head (Gbr) 74 71 72 71, Rachel Teske 68 77 75 68 289 – Loraine Lambert 69 73 72 75, Julie Forbes (Gbr) 69 71 75 74, Anne-Marie Knight 73 71 76 69 290 – Susie Parry (Usa) 74 74 70 72 291 – Rebecca Coakley 75 73 71 72, Stefania Croce (Ita) 75 72 77 67, Nicola Moult (Gbr) 72 75 73 71, Gwladys Nocera (Fra) 74 72 74 71, Marine Monnet (Fra) 70 75 74 72 292 – Tamie Durdin 72 72 78 70, Joanne Mills 72 71 78 71, Shani Waugh 72 76 73 71, Becky Morgan (Gbr) 73 72 72 75 293 – Kathryn Marshall 74 72 78 69, Corinne Dibnah 72 77 71 73, Rikka Hakkarainen (Fin) 71 78 71 73, Joanne Morley (Gbr) 74 72 73 74, Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 72 70 73 74 294 – Catrin Nilsmark (Swe) 75 72 75 72 295 – Nancy Harvey (Can) 76 71 76 72, Miriam Nagl (Ger) 72 74 77 72, Iben Tinning (Den) 73 72 77 73