Editors note: The Golf Channels Big Break III ' Ladies Only is the third installment of this hit series. As the title suggests, however, this season is just for the ladies. The 10 contestants are vying for entry into select LPGA tournaments, including the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill.
After the original group of 10 contestants had been cut in half, the remaining five ladies gathered together for what turned out to be a rather quiet breakfast at the condo, as the pressures and personal differences were beginning to rise to the surface.
Despite a minor flap with a fellow competitor, Danielle Amiee was able to keep her focus.
Soon, however, co-hosts Vince Cellini and Stephanie Sparks had the focus turned back to golf with the days opening Mulligan Challenge, where the ladies were asked to thread the needle on an approach shot.
Hitting from three separate spots, they had to hit through an opening much like that of a doorway to a green some 80-yards away. All five would hit from the first spot and the one finishing the furthest away would be ousted. Same was to be said in the second round until the third and final round where whoever was closest would win the mulligan.
It looked like a gigantic garage door, recalled Liz Uthoff about the obstacle. It was just huge.
Cindy Miller was the odd woman out after the first series of shots, followed by Pam Crikelair in the second round, leaving Ochoa, Uthoff and Amiee in the final.
With the opening having been made even smaller, Uthoff led off and hit a beautiful low runner that finished up a mere 20 feet from the pin. Ochoa and Amiee were unable to get inside that number giving Uthoff the much sought after mulligan.
Winning the mulligan feels good since you never know whats ahead of you in the Skills Challenge, said Uthoff after her small victory.
It was now on to the Skills Challenge and in honor of March Madness the ladies would be playing a golf version of the basketball game H-O-R-S-E. Each player got to choose a shot to play and who ever finished closest to the pin on that shot wouldnt receive a letter. In addition to that, they got to give out an extra letter to whomever she felt needed one. The player who spelled B-R-E-A-K first would be eliminated until one player was left standing and that player would the win the immunity.
Miller took control of the challenge early on winning the first three shots. She used the extra letter she got to hand out to eliminate a visible upset Amiee.
Along with getting the boot, Amiee got into some hot water from Crikelair over what Crikelair perceived to be a slight from Amiee about her game, or lack there of.
Im not used to people talking trash, said a slightly miffed Crikelair. Beat me with your game. And dont talk smack, on purpose.
I had no problem losing that challenge but I was a little mentally frustrated because I have had almost zero chances of winning any of the exemptions, said Amiee on her quick departure in the Skills Challenge. And its been tough to hang in there.
Miller wasnt finished however and swiftly locked up yet another immunity by getting closest to the pin on Crikelairs bunker shot to win the Skills Challenge. It was her third straight show in which she won the exemption.
Drive for show and putt to stay on the show was a good way to describe to Elimination Challenge as the remaining four ladies were each faced with four 24-foot putts from each side of the hole on an LPGA Tour-like fast, slick green. The player who had the highest accumulated total putts would see her dream come to an end.
Every Elimination Challenge is nerve-racking, remarked Crikelair. Somebodys going to leave, somebody has to lose.
All four players came out of the gate well, despite some shaking hands due to nerves. Each two-putted the first two holes to force a four-way tie heading into the last two putts.
After I went into sudden-death overtime against Jan (Dowling) I had tasted defeat. I definitely had a taste of what could come, said Crikelair on the mounting pressure of the situation. I was definitely nervous.
When I saw them shaking and unable to put their balls down, I knew they didnt understand competitive golf, said Amiee, sizing up her opponents.
On the third putt of the challenge, Ochoas lag putt cruised past the cup leaving her with a tough 7 foot comebacker. Her attempt lipped out of the hole giving her the first three of the competition.
I thought she would just nail it on the way back and when I saw it lip out, my heart just sunk, offered Crikelair on Ochoas misfortune.
In the end Ochoas costly three-putt was indeed too much to overcome as Crikelair, Amiee and Uthoff each finished up with 8 total points and then watched as Ochoas final putt to tie drifted wide.
I said, Try to be yourself, try to do the best you can. And try to improve and to learn, said the departing Ochoa.
To be 25-years-old, to support a whole family ' wow. What guts this kid has, said Miller on her admiration for Ochoa. I mean, I truly respect her.
Be sure to tune in next Tuesday at 9 p.m. (ET) as the final four ladies face yet another twist on the Big Break III - Ladies Only!
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