Recari Outlasts Creamer

Spain's Beatriz Recari closed with a 5-under 66 to edge Paula Creamer and win the Marathon Classic. The $1.3 million LPGA Tour event - the former Jamie Farr Toledo Classic - was held at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio.

Recari carded three birdies on the front nine and two more on the back to finish at 17-under 267, a shot clear of the Creamer, who posted a four-birdie 67.

Recari, a 26-year-old from Pamplona with two LPGA titles before this week, managed to par the final two holes, both par-5s. Creamer didn't take advantage, also carding pars on both holes while trying to overcome Recari's one-shot lead through 16.

"I stayed aggressive," Recari said later at greenside. "I'm just pleased I made an up-and-down (on 18) for the win." Her third career title was worth $195,000.

Though disappointed with the outcome, Creamer, the 2008 champion in the tournament, congratulated Recari. "It's hard, but Beatriz played great." Creamer later told reporters, "I played great. I can't be too upset with myself. Obviously there are moments out there where you wish you could have done something.

"I really can't take too many shots today that I thought I would I would go and replay. I mean, obviously maybe the putt on 17 and the tee shot on 18. But I gave it all I had. That's for sure. I was positive after every shot. She beat me by one. She played well."

Tied for third at 13-under 271 were England's Jodi Ewart Shadoff (66) and American Lexi Thompson (67). Sharing fifth at 274 were Angela Stanford (67) and Jacqui Concolino (70).

Three players tied for seventh at 275. They included No. 2-ranked Stacy Lewis (64), Jennifer Johnson (70), South Korea's Meena Lee, who carded Sunday's low round, a 9-under 62, New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko (68) and Japan's Chie Arimura (71).

No. 1-ranked Inbee Park had an off-tournament for her. After starting with rounds of 67 and 69, the six-time winner in 2013 carded 73 and 72 over the weekend.

In two weeks Park will seek to earn her fourth major of the year at the Women's British Open at St. Andrews. Bobby Jones in 1930 is the only player in history to win a calendar year Grand Slam.

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.

Tweet