Who? Meaghan Francella, That's Who
Who can survive a staredown with Annika Sorenstam, and make Annika blink first? Who can do so in her rookie season on the LPGA Tour? Who can do it in just the third tournament of her LPGA career? Who can do it even as Sorenstam is surging? Who can do it despite, at one point, seeing Sorenstam surge past her? Who can do it despite having to go into a playoff with Sorenstam? Who can do it even having to endure a four-hole playoff?
Who can do all that and beat Annika Sorenstam?
Meaghan Francella, that's who.
Who?
Meaghan Francella (weren't you listening?).
Francella did all that to win the rain-delayed LPGA MasterCard Classic on Monday, beating Sorenstam in a playoff after both finished at 11-under 205. Sorenstam got to 11-under by shooting a final-round 66, Francella a 69.
Sorenstam got it even lower at one point on the back nine, and had a 2-stroke lead around midway through the back nine.
But Annika lost a stroke, then Francella birdied No. 16 to forge a tie, and the playoff followed.
Francella started her collegiate career at Memphis, winning the Conference USA championship in 2001. She later transferred to North Carolina and in 2004 won the NCAA East Regional championship and was named to the All-America team.
Francella turned pro later that year and fared pretty well on the Futures Tour in 2005. But she fared even better last year, which is how she earned her LPGA Tour card. In 2006, Francella won once and finished in the Top 10 six other times on the Futures Tour, finishing fifth on the money list to earn her way onto the LPGA.
Congratulations, Meaghan - you earned it.
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