Jennifer Kupcho celebrates after winning the Chevron Championship
Jennifer Kupcho stumbled back-nine to win the Chevron Championship, her first big win and her first on the LPGA Tour.
The 24-year-old American, who won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur three years ago, finished 14-under 274 with a 2-over 74 card in the final round at the Mission Hills Country Club in California, twice as much as Jessica Corder.
Kupcho started the day at 16-under with a six-shot lead after 64 runs on Saturday and extended his advantage to seven after a strong start that saw his hole a bit longer as he birdied both the second, fourth and fifth. Buggy at the third.
Defending champion Patti Tavatanakit of Thailand was a close follower of Kupcho overnight and played with him in the final group, but he endured a frustrating day after missing a number of chances after a boogie sandwich with fourth-placed Birdies in fourth.
This leaves Korda to mount the most powerful challenge when he is enthralled by an eagle in third place where he exits the fairway.
Jessica Corda reacts after making an eagle in the third hole from the fairway during the final round
Kupcho hit another long birdie putt in 11th place after hitting the eighth and 10th bogies, but his lead was suddenly in jeopardy after a back-to-back bogey in the 13th, where he did 3-putts and was third at 14th. Where he misses the green left.
Corda, who birdied the 11th and 12th, was just two shorts short of his fellow American until he missed a short per putt on the 15th that allowed Kupcho to return his approach shot to two feet to recover the four-shot cushion. Birdie did after the drop. .
Kupcho mixed seven bogies with five birdies in his final round
There was supposed to be another slip-up from Kupcho on the 17th but, with three shots left, he was able to build a three-put boogie on the 18th before celebrating the victory and then jump into Poppy’s Pond – the final winner so the tournament is next. The year will move to Houston – after receiving the trophy.
“I’m still shivering but it was fun to be there, especially with Patty. It’s a lot of hard work but a lot of deep breathing, ”Kupcho said after his first win.
“I’ve come so close a few times so it’s really hard sometimes. And here I am, it’s really exciting. A major is crazy. “
Corda, who suffered from a back problem, equalized the final three holes for 69, where Slovenian Pia Babnik, 18, made her mark in the tournament with a great 66, the second featuring an eagle and five birdies, for the storm. Third place under 11.
His score matched that of Japan’s Hinako Shibuno as the halfway leader bounced back from his third round 77 to share fourth place in 10 under with Celine Butier (67) of France, American Lexi Thompson (68) and Tavatanakit (72). 18th birdied after bogey at 15th and 16th.
Patty Tavatanakit had a tough defense of the title but struggled to make an impact on Sunday
England’s Georgia Hall enjoyed a decent finish with a 3-under 69 and tied him at six-under and 13th, while Charlie Hall’s 73 is his four-under and joint-25th.
Ireland’s Leona Maguire scored 61 runs in two unders and Joint-39th, Mel Reid (62) in 44th in one under.
South Korea’s Chella Choi achieved a BMW iX with a hole-in-one in par-three on the 17th, where Sweden’s Parnilla Lindberg climbed to fifth place 166-yards – they both finished equal and finished 53rd.
When is the Masters live on Sky Sports?
When does Masters coverage start? What additional feeds are available? How can I follow the action from Augusta National? Our guide to watching the first men’s major of the year live at Sky Sports Golf.
Monday, April 4th
1700-1900 – Live range!
1900-2200 – Live from Masters
Tuesday 5 April
1400-2200 – Live from The Masters
Wednesday 7 April
1400-1900 – Live from The Masters
1900-2230 – The Masters: Par-3 Competition Live!
Thursday 6 April
1400-1930 – Featured Group Live!
1930-0030 – Masters: First Day Live!
Red Button (Exact Time TBC) – 1330 Range, 1430 Holes 4-6, 1545 Amen Corner, 1645 Holes 15-16, 1830 Featured Group
Friday, April 8th
1400-1930 – Featured Group Live!
1930-0030 – Masters: Second Day Live!
Red Button (Exact Time TBC) – 1330 Range, 1430 Holes 4-6, 1545 Amen Corner, 1645 Holes 15-16, 1830 Featured Group
Saturday 9 April
0900-1200 – Masters Breakfast Live!
1500-1930 – Masters Build Up Live!
1930-0030 – Masters: Day 3 Live!
Red Button (Real Time TBC) – 1515 Featured Group, 1530 Holes 4-6, 1600 On Range, 1645 Amen Corner, 1730 Holes 15-16
Sunday, April 10
0900-1200 – Masters Breakfast Live!
1500-1830 – Masters Build Up Live!
1830-0030 – Masters: Day Four Live!
Red Button (Real Time TBC) – 1515 Featured Group, 1530 Holes 4-6, 1600 On Range, 1645 Amen Corner, 1730 Holes 15-16
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