Azahara Muñoz, from Malaga, has completed an outstanding run at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, one of the major tournaments on the U.S. Professional Tour, which concluded in Mission Hills, California. Her final ranking, 40th, symbolizes the growth of one of the most recognized Spanish amateur golfers of recent years.

Azahara Muñoz, who had lost ground on the third day after her worst round (77 strokes, 5 over par), returned to form to close out the tournament. She carded a 73 (1 over par), with bogeys on the 1st, 3rd, and 9th holes and victory-winning birdies on the 5th and 17th.

Installed in 40th position with 295 accumulated strokes, the European champion with the National Teams surpassed many of the great figures of the most important women's circuit in the world: Natalie Gulbis (296), Gwladis Nocera (297), or Martina Eberl and Julieta Granada, who did not make the cut.

The player from Malaga, who plays for the Arizona State University team, received the invitation to play in the competition as a reward for her achievements in 2008, the year in which she won the NCAA University League Final and was runner-up in the US Women's Amateur.

THIRD DAY
Azahara Muñoz has dropped in the standings at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the LPGA Tour, after finishing her third round with a total of 77 strokes (5 over par). Meanwhile, Kristy McPherson remains in contention for the win with 18 holes remaining in the tournament.

The Spanish player had no luck and accumulated up to three bogeys in the first six holes, condemning herself to make the worst round of her three days of competition.

SECOND DAY
Spain's Azahara Muñoz is in eighteenth position at the Kraft Nabisco Championship after the first two days of play, after which the cut has been established and only 64 players have passed.

Azahara Muñoz carded a 74 (2 over par), maintaining her 18th position, ahead of many of the tour's top players: Gwladis Nocera, Martina Eberl, Juli Inster, and Lorena Ochoa herself. She trails the leaders, Kristy McPherson and Christina Kim, by seven strokes.

FIRST DAY
The Malaga native has become the most pleasant surprise of one of the most important competitions on the American Women's Professional Tour (LPGA) – she shares the position with Natalie Gulbis or Michelle Wie – thanks to her birdies on holes 9 and 11 and her bogey on the 15th.

Brittany Lincicome leads the competition in Mission Hills, California, after posting a 66 (6-under par) on the first day. Defending champion and world number one, Mexican Lorena Ochoa, failed to score better than 73 (1 over par), further highlighting the Spaniard's impressive performance.

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
The golfer from Malaga, Azahara Muñoz, received the invitation to play in the tournament thanks to the merits she acquired in 2008, the year in which she won the NCAA University League Final and was runner-up in the US Women's Amateur.

Now, in Mission Hills, she faces the best players in the world: world number one Lorena Ochoa, the 2008 U.S. Rookie of the Year Yani Tseng, and names like Yeon Choi, Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbus, Katherine Hull, Helen Alfredsson, and Michelle Wie. On the first day, Azahara Muñoz is paired with the European Tour number one, Gwladys Nocera.

After the second day of play, a cut will be made at 70th place and ties.

RESULTS
1.- Brittany Lincicome 279 (66+74+70+69)
40.- Azahara Muñoz 295 (71+74+77+73)
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