Remember that this hole requires a carry over quite a lot of water. You cannot be left here, and if you are too right you end up in the rough. Grace hit her drive, and probably in fear of going left, went right into the rough. Kerr's drive was perfect, so there was still some danger. After waiting for the green to clear, Grace had a long approach, and had to worry about putting the ball where she could get it to the top tier and the flag. Her shot was not bad, but it was hot, and it rolled into the fringe behind the green. The same level as the flag, but a very tricky out. Kerr doubtless felt confident, but her own approach was not terribly close to the flag either. Still, advantage Cristie.

Grace was forced to play a high pitch to get over the vast amount of fringe between her and the hole. She hit a beauty, and it settled nicely on the green. But it still rolled a good 15 - 20 feet past the cup, fortunately stopping on the same level as the hole. So she had a chance at a par save, but a tough one. At least Kerr made it easier for Grace by missing her birdie putt.

So now it was all in Grace's hands. One putt, a tricky double breaker of about 20 feet, for par and the win. If she makes bogey, a four way playoff. Grace later said she and her caddie discussed several possible lines until one just clicked. She stepped up and stroked it...

Anatomy of a victory
Reuters/Brendan McDermid

After her disastrous start, Grace had spent much of the rest of the day trying to stay in a positive frame of mind. Over and over she repeated the mantra, 'Believe in yourself'. She knew she had the talent, and just didn't want to press: if it were meant to happen, it would happen. Doubtless the same thought was going through her mind as the ball tracked perfectly into the cup for the victory. Another clutch long putt, proving just how tough Grace could be when the chips were down. An ecstatic Grace leapt into her caddie's arms. This was not the calm cool Grace who won the Office Depot in 2001 with barely a shrug. This was a battle tested warrior who was fully aware of what she had just pulled off: a recovery to win against the toughest women golfers in the world. She had kept her streak of winning when leading alive, against all the odds. And of course, she had won that year's supply of beer!

But most importantly, she had survived a golf rollercoaster - for the week she had an eagle, 21 birdies, 3 double bogeys, and 8 bogeys - and proved that she is one of the truly elite golfers in the world. And to her, that is the most important achievement of all.

Nothing is sweeter than success!
Reuters/Brendan McDermid