MONDAY WRAP: Lewis wins to claim No.1 rank

American Stacy Lewis claimed her 10th career LPGA Tour victory by six shots at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in New Jersey and, in doing so, reclaimed the top spot in the women’s world ranking.

Lewis shot a final round 67 to push her three-day total to 16-under par, one shot shy of the tournament record but was well clear of runner-up Christina Kim, who had her best tournament finish since 2007.

“I don’t know what it is about this place,” said Lewis. “It’s just really special to me. I’ve played some really good golf here, and it’s just mind boggling really to think I have ten wins out here. It’s so hard to win. There’s so many good players, and it’s so hard to win, so you never take them for granted.  You enjoy them, that’s for sure. I’ve learned that you enjoy them because they’re so hard.”

Stacy Lewis punches the air after holing the putt that sealed the win and World No.1 spot. PHOTO: Getty Images.

Lewis, who won the North Texas LPGA Shootout a month ago, started the final day with a one-shot lead and two early birdies extended her advantage through the front-nine. The Texan said there was no point in the round where she felt totally comfortable with the lead. She made back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th holes to move three shots clear but an up-and-down back nine kept things interesting.

“Making those putts on 10 and 11 kind of freed things up, but then that back 9 was just so back and forth,” said Lewis. “It was just kind of wild swings of emotion, from me, from Christina. You know, we’d hit good shots and we would hit terrible shots. And I don’t know, it was a little bit up and down.  It was kind of exhausting actually coming in.”

She had two bogies in her final seven holes, at the 12^th and 17^th holes, snapping a 33-hole bogey-free streak but sealed the victory with a six-foot birdie putt for the win.

Lewis became just the fourth player in the event’s 26-year history to notch multiple wins at the ShopRite LPGA Tour Classic and was stunned to hear the esteemed company she was joining. She now has her name alongside Hall of Famers Juli Inkster (1986, 1988), Betsy King (1987, 1995, 2001) and Annika Sorenstam (1998, 2002, 2005) as players to win the event more than once.

“That’s a pretty good list of people there,” said Lewis. “That’s not too bad. Wow, that’s really cool. I love walking through this clubhouse and seeing all the list of the names of the winners that are up on the wall and just to do it twice and I mean as you said, I don’t even know what to say. I mean that list of past winners, they’re all Hall of Famers, so who knows what’s in store for me, but it’s just a really cool list to be on.”

The new No.1 player in the world took over exactly the way she wanted to Sunday – by winning the tournament. She briefly took over No.1 last year, but that reign was short lived, lasting only four weeks before South Korean Inbee Park started her 59-week reign at No.1.

“You know, last time it was taken away from me in an off-week when we weren’t even playing, so I’m definitely just going to not take it for granted and really enjoy it this time,” Lewis said. “Now I know all the extra things that come along with it, but I’m ready for it this time.”

Lewis said she believes her run at No,1 will last longer this time because she knows how to handle the pressure of being the player everybody wants to beat.

“I’ve really gotten better over the last year at managing my schedule. And you know, knowing what I physically what I can do and I now know better what helps me play my best golf. So I think managing the schedule is going to be key,” Lewis said. “At the same time, you know, I can’t put too much pressure on myself. You know, my goal, I know people get tired of me saying it, but my goal is to win the tournaments, and so whatever happens after that is fine.”

Karrie Webb, who was the defending champion, fired a four under 67 in the final round to finish tied eighth alongside Park. NSW’s Sarah Kemp (69) was also impressive in finishing tied 19^th.

LEADERBOARD

1. Stacy Lewis (US)   67-63-67–197         $225,000

2. Christina Kim (US)   64-67-72–203       138,527

T3. Haeji Kang (S.Kor)   68-67-69–204     72,998

T3. Anna Nordqvist (Swe)   69-65-70–204            72,998

T3. Gerina Piller (US)   67-67-70–204       72,998

ALSO:

T8. Karrie Webb (Qld)   69-70-67–206      US$31,399

T19. Sarah Kemp (NSW)   67-72-69–208  17,140

T33. Lindsey Wright (NSW)   68-70-72–210          9,723

T60. Katherine Kirk (Qld)   73-68-73–214  3,678

T69. Stacey Keating (Vic)   68-75-75–218            3,072

*For the full leaderboard, click here