It also meant the hosts avoided the wooden-spoon position in the 13-province matchplay tournament — a huge relief.
Taranaki filled that spot, while HBPB booked an 11th and 12th positional playoff against Tasman this morning.
McDonald was on track for her third consecutive win at 3-up after nine holes.
It all changed with a three-putt. Her confidence with the short stick began to wane and she struggled to get the ball to the hole — a sure sign of negativity.
“I don’t know what happened,” the 24-year-old said.
“I started three-putting. I just couldn’t get the ball up to the hole.”
Her opponent jumped on McDonald’s plight. Kang threw a few birdies at her and sank some good putts to reel in the deficit, then go 1-up.
McDonald had the chance to halve the match but missed a 12-footer on the last hole, summing up her back-nine woes.
While disappointed, she wasn’t letting it get her down.
There was no putting session on the practice green. She put the clubs away and spent the afternoon relaxing as there was only one round yesterday.
It is the second year running McDonald has played at the top of the order for HBPB and she’s loving it.
“It’s been pretty tough. I think I’ve played three New Zealand reps. But it’s been really good to see how close I am to them.”
Her heaviest loss has been on the 16th to Manawatu-Wanganui’s unbeaten Tara Raj, who spearheaded her side’s stunning 3-2 upset of defending champions Auckland yesterday.
The HBPB half against Otago was thanks to wins to No.3 Claire Choi (1-up) and No.5 Fiona Ellis (6 and 5) and a half to evergreen No.2 Janie Field, who has been an inspiration to her side.
“You can always count on her,” McDonald said.
The Manawatu-Wanganui win against Auckland put them top of Section 1 with a perfect six points.
They were to face Bay of Plenty in this morning’s semifinals while Auckland were to take on Section 2 winners North Harbour.
