Safeway 3-way - Cristie Kerr Wins Portland Playoff

Charismatic Cristie Kerr has reason to celebrate.

She just claimed her 11th LPGA title at the Safeway Classic in Portland OR. ...And she won in style! In an ultra-exciting, three-way, sudden death playoff, she sunk an 18 foot putt for Birdie. Helen Alfredsson and Sophie Gustafson failed to make their birdies on that first playoff hole.

What makes Cristie's win even more remarkable is that she went into the final round four shots back, but with her characteristic determination, fired off a seven-under 65, for the lowest round of the tournament.

The photo at left was taken earlier this month when I met up with the gracious golf champion at the opening reception for a new Lacoste boutique in Greenwich,(CT).

That evening, just a couple of weeks ago, we spoke a bit about her hectic lifestyle on the LPGA tour. She had just arrived from three weeks... and a couple of big tournaments... in Europe, and was enroute to Ottawa for the Canadian Women's Open. Then directly out to Portland where she finds herself now... trophy in hand.

Quite a busy little schedule, wouldn't you say? But she handlea it all with ease and elegance. She smiles a lot, connects with all those around her, and always looks gorgeous. In addition she generously supports breast cancer research through her foundation, Birdies for Breast Cancer.

I think most everyone would agree, Cristie Kerr is a winner in a multitude of ways.


Photographs © Golf Girl Media