NW Arkansas Championship report

Lewis’ 71 two shots too many

Stacy Lewis hits from the third tee on Sunday, June 23, 2013, during the third round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers.
Stacy Lewis hits from the third tee on Sunday, June 23, 2013, during the third round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers.

ROGERS - Stacy Lewis wanted to win the Wal-Mart NW Arkansas Championship almost as badly as she’s wanted any golf tournament in her life.

It simply wasn’t meant to be.

Lewis, the second-round leader at 10-under par along with Chie Arimura, So Yeon Ryu and Beatriz Recari, couldn’t overcome a double-bogey at the par-5 7th and and a bogey on 15 despite encouragement from a boisterous crowd that rooted for the former Razorbacks All-American on every shot.

Finishing tied for fourth at 10 under - after an even par 71 on Sunday - was nothing to be ashamed of.

But it still left Lewis feeling a bit let down after missing out on winning in front of her own fans.

“I knew it was going to be close,” Lewis said. “I slept OK. I really felt good about the way I was playing.

Early I hit some great putts that really would’ve, I think, gotten the momentum going the right way and I just never quite did.”

Aside from the double bogey at 7, Lewis said she didn’t play that bad.

“I’m pretty disappointed,” Lewis said. “I had one bad swing on seven, but really, other than that I played pretty solid and had so many good shots and so many good putts today,” Lewis said. “I don’t really know going back what I would do much different.

Cream rises

Of the nine professional golfers who finished in the Top 10 at this year’s tournament - not counting amateur Lydia Ko - eight are ranked 15th or better in the Rolex World Rankings. The one exception is Arimura, who is ranked No. 32.

Ace!

Japan’s Ayako Uehara certainly provided one of the most exciting moments for the fans gathered at No. 17, the hole tournament organizers hoped to turn into the “loudest hole in golf” when Uehara nailed a hole-on-one playing in one of the early pairings of the day.

Uehara used a hybrid wood and slammed the tee shot straight into the cup at the par-3, 150-yard hole, drawing high fives from playing partner Chella Choi as the crowd released big roars.

Hey, nice hat!

Stacy Lewis had a fun bet with her caddy, Travis Wilson, during Saturday’s second round at the NW Arkansas Championship. If Lewis played well enough to earn a spot in the final pairing of Sunday’s final round, she promised a special surprise for the fans at the 17th hole.

Lewis kept her surprise a secret, saying after her round Saturday it was a bet with her caddy that she was excited about winning.

Turns out the bet was to have Wilson, an Ohio State fan, wear an Arkansas Hog hat on the 17th green - the signature hole at the NW Arkansas Championship - while Lewis played her final round.

Wilson obliged, putting on the Hog hat.

Sports, Pages 18 on 06/24/2013

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