"She played really good. She fought out some really tough pars and that kept her momentum going. She just played really solid golf," said Australian Karrie Webb, the reigning two-time Player of the Year whom Delasin humbled in the third round to seize control of the elite field.
Webb, at 26 the youngest player ever to achieve a Career Grand Slam by winning the LPGA McDonald’s Championship, last played with Delasin a year ago in the Tour Championship and the LPGA veteran said Delasin’s improvement as far as decision-making is concerned was simply amazing.
"I noticed at the Tour Championship, there was a lack of course management. That has definitely improved. That just comes from playing tournament golf and learning from mistakes," said Webb.
This also marked the third time that Delasin has beaten Korean ace Se Ri Pak, the first two in her two others victories at the Giant Eagle Classic.
"She has beaten me three times already. But that’s the way the golf is. I didn’t much think about the way I’m doing wrong or not. I missed a lot of greens and I missed so many short putts on the back nine, I don’t have any chance to catch her. She putts really good all day long," said Pak.
Putting, indeed, anchored Delasin’s victory. The 21-year-old Fil-Am shotmaker finished her last 31 holes without a bogey and was the only player in the field who shot four rounds under par, with no three-putts.
Swede Annika Sorenstam, who has won a tour-high six titles this season and leads the money list with more than $1.66 million, was way behind at 10th with two-over 290 after a 74.
For beating an elite field of 20 of the world’s best golfers, Delasin took home $157,000, jumping from No. 17 to 13th place in the money list with a career earnings of $609,792.
"As a little girl, I dreamt of playing with the best of the LPGA—and beating them. It’s one of the goals I’m trying to achieve," said Delasin.
She did achieve it as she won not only by one or two strokes, but by four shots.
"I didn’t play with her that much before. Just last year and this year, and she has more control, I guess. So I think she does really well now. She is really long and straight. She has a good short game too. I think she is a very good player," said Pak, who shared second place with Webb.
"Her game has indeed matured. She’s got a great future out here. I think as she gets older, and matures, her game will only grow and her career could only go up and up," said Webb. — Dante Navarro