Laura Davies ended an extended slump by capturing the Rochester International on Sunday for her 20th victory on the LPGA Tour. And she promptly decided: "This is probably the most important victory of my entire career."
The Englishwoman (37), who won the Irish Women's Open at St Margaret's in 1994 and 1995, explained: "It's really tough when you don't feel things are going right for you and your confidence is gone. This win has changed everything."
Her previous US victory was 16 months ago in the Los Angeles Women's Championship. And if she wins twice more, or captures a fifth major, the reward could be a place in the LPGA Hall of Fame. "Obviously that's now within striking distance," she said. "But that's in the back of my mind."
Davies, whose last Irish appearance was in the Women's World Cup won by Sweden at Adare Major last September, blamed her poor play since then on a switch to steel shafts. She replaced them seven days ago with more flexible graphite.
Sunday's victory brought a top prize of $150,000 which increased her winnings this year to $221,318 and lifted her from 58th to 21st in the money list. She has also moved up to 10th place in the career money list, with earnings of $5.4 million.
