Feng used the same three-wood on 16 today that she also used for the magical approach into a hazard on 18 that hit a rock and bounced off the flagstick, setting up eagle en route to winning the 2013 Reignwood LPGA Classic.
“It was actually a little between clubs. If I hit three-wood it would be maybe a little long, so I decided actually to go forward. I hit the three-wood with a smooth swing,” Feng explained. “Then I was hoping to get a good bounce, which I did. It reminded me kind of like 18 hole at Reignwood last year. Same club. It’s the magic three-wood again. I made an eagle again, and I think that was pretty important for my win.”
Until the 16th hole, Feng didn’t think she had a chance to win. After missing a 15-foot birdie putt and the outright lead on 15, Feng rebounded in a big way to take command of the tournament after Pornanong Phatlum hit a shot in the water on 16. Feng did so despite accidentally taking a look at the leaderboard on the hole.
“I have a habit that I don’t look at leaderboards during my play,” Feng said. “Actually, I accidentally knew I was tied with her when I was on 16 green. I did not want to see the score, but I saw it.”
Feng admitted she thrived away from the intense scrutiny she faced on home soil last week.
“Last week I was defending champion in China at Reignwood and I did really bad,” Feng said. “So coming into this week, I had no pressure at all. Even until the 17th hole I still didn’t think I was going to win. What I was doing was just to focus on every shot and just try to do my best and hope that putts can fall. That’s all I did.”