HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. - Duke junior
Candy Hannemann defeated Arizona's
Lorena Ochoa in a playoff to capture the 2001 NCAA Individual title on
Friday evening at the El Campeon course in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.
The Rio de Janeiro, Brazil native, notched a par on the first playoff hole
to capture the title as Ochoa had a bogey on hole number one. The NCAA
title for Hannemann is her second overall tournament victory this season and
her first NCAA title. This title is extra special for Hannemann as she
finished second overall at the 1999 NCAA Championships to Grace Park of
Arizona State.
Each golfer had to wait around four and a half hours before the playoff
began at around 7:00 PM. After errant tee shots by both golfers, each made
it on the par five green in three. Ochoa had about a 25-foot put and went
about 10 feet long and then Hannemann went about six feet past the cup.
Ochoa missed her par put and then Hannemann nailed her put for the victory.
Hannemann's title is the first for a Duke golfer.
Duke Comments
Candy Hannemann
"This is so exciting. I cannot express how good this title feels.
On the winning six-foot putt
"I was thinking even if she misses her putt I knew I could make mine."
"I was very relieved, relaxed and happy. It was a good feeling. I think
both of us were nervous as we had to wait around for so long. It gave us
time to think. It is a hard situation to deal with."
"I was focused on winning the individual title."
On losing the team title, but coming back to win the individual
"Obviously, it was a little disappointing. We talked and knew we had a
great year and effort. That made things a little easier, but I knew that I
had to focus on something else [the individual title]."
Head Coach Dan Brooks
"I couldn't be happier for Candy. She led by example and has worked so hard
this year. She deserves this title."