Clutch Kupcho ends near three-year LPGA drought
Kupcho, whose four Tour titles include a major at the Chevron Championship, birdied three of the last five holes in New Jersey for a five-under 66. She took the lead with a 20-foot birdie putt from just off the green on the 14th, and avoided a playoff with the putt on 18.
Lee was the 36-hole leader going into the final round on a rain-soaked Bay Course at Seaview Hotel, so drenched that the par-3 17th was moved up to play only 76 yards.
The South Korean finished with five birdies on the back nine for a 68, but it wasn't enough to catch Kupcho.
Kupcho finished at 15-under 198 in one of only two LPGA events contested over 54 holes.
"I think in my mind I had set on 14 under, so I was really just trying to get to that number," the 28-year-old American said.
"Obviously did a little better. Yeah, just feels really nice. Just kind of stayed in my zone the whole time."
The 36-year-old Lee won her only LPGA title 12 years ago in the Bahamas on a course shortened to 12 holes because of historic rain. But she had played only 18 times in the last seven years, finishing off her college degree, working briefly and now a part-time golf teacher.
"I worked for Financial Forum for 100 days and then got out," the world No.1426, who got into the field as a past tournament winner, said.
"Then I realise, 'Oh, I'm good at golf.' So I got to teach golf. I started teaching a little bit, not full-time, but I was teaching a little bit and I loved it. I absolutely loved it.
"So since then I was teaching a little bit and playing at the same time and rehabbing, more treatment on my shoulder and back and ankle. I still have few students waiting for me in LA so I get to see them next week."
Kupcho gets a much-needed win after going without a trophy after her three-win 2022 season.
"It just feels amazing," she said.
"I think I struggled a lot early in the year and had a lot of tough weeks, a lot of hard conversations, and it feels good."
South Korea's Sei Young Kim (65) was the third-place finisher, three strokes behind Kupcho.
Japan's Ayaka Furue (70) was fourth at 11 under while six golfers tied for fifth at 10 under: South Korea's Jin Hee Im (68), Spain's Azahara Munoz (68), Germany's Aline Krauter (68), Japan's Mao Saigo (71), Miyu Yamashita (69) and Taiwan's Wei-Ling Hsu (69).
World No.1 Nelly Korda (68) tied for 15th at eight under.
Australia's Roby Choi, who started the final round three shots off the lead, carded a 70 to finish nine under and joint 11th.
With Reuters & AAP.
Jennifer Kupcho has closed with an eight-foot birdie putt in light rain to hold off Ilhee Lee in the LPGA Classic, ending a drought of nearly three years without winning.
Kupcho, whose four Tour titles include a major at the Chevron Championship, birdied three of the last five holes in New Jersey for a five-under 66. She took the lead with a 20-foot birdie putt from just off the green on the 14th, and avoided a playoff with the putt on 18.
Lee was the 36-hole leader going into the final round on a rain-soaked Bay Course at Seaview Hotel, so drenched that the par-3 17th was moved up to play only 76 yards.
The South Korean finished with five birdies on the back nine for a 68, but it wasn't enough to catch Kupcho.
Kupcho finished at 15-under 198 in one of only two LPGA events contested over 54 holes.
"I think in my mind I had set on 14 under, so I was really just trying to get to that number," the 28-year-old American said.
"Obviously did a little better. Yeah, just feels really nice. Just kind of stayed in my zone the whole time."
The 36-year-old Lee won her only LPGA title 12 years ago in the Bahamas on a course shortened to 12 holes because of historic rain. But she had played only 18 times in the last seven years, finishing off her college degree, working briefly and now a part-time golf teacher.
"I worked for Financial Forum for 100 days and then got out," the world No.1426, who got into the field as a past tournament winner, said.
"Then I realise, 'Oh, I'm good at golf.' So I got to teach golf. I started teaching a little bit, not full-time, but I was teaching a little bit and I loved it. I absolutely loved it.
"So since then I was teaching a little bit and playing at the same time and rehabbing, more treatment on my shoulder and back and ankle. I still have few students waiting for me in LA so I get to see them next week."
Kupcho gets a much-needed win after going without a trophy after her three-win 2022 season.
"It just feels amazing," she said.
"I think I struggled a lot early in the year and had a lot of tough weeks, a lot of hard conversations, and it feels good."
South Korea's Sei Young Kim (65) was the third-place finisher, three strokes behind Kupcho.
Japan's Ayaka Furue (70) was fourth at 11 under while six golfers tied for fifth at 10 under: South Korea's Jin Hee Im (68), Spain's Azahara Munoz (68), Germany's Aline Krauter (68), Japan's Mao Saigo (71), Miyu Yamashita (69) and Taiwan's Wei-Ling Hsu (69).
World No.1 Nelly Korda (68) tied for 15th at eight under.
Australia's Roby Choi, who started the final round three shots off the lead, carded a 70 to finish nine under and joint 11th.
With Reuters & AAP.
Jennifer Kupcho has closed with an eight-foot birdie putt in light rain to hold off Ilhee Lee in the LPGA Classic, ending a drought of nearly three years without winning.
Kupcho, whose four Tour titles include a major at the Chevron Championship, birdied three of the last five holes in New Jersey for a five-under 66. She took the lead with a 20-foot birdie putt from just off the green on the 14th, and avoided a playoff with the putt on 18.
Lee was the 36-hole leader going into the final round on a rain-soaked Bay Course at Seaview Hotel, so drenched that the par-3 17th was moved up to play only 76 yards.
The South Korean finished with five birdies on the back nine for a 68, but it wasn't enough to catch Kupcho.
Kupcho finished at 15-under 198 in one of only two LPGA events contested over 54 holes.
"I think in my mind I had set on 14 under, so I was really just trying to get to that number," the 28-year-old American said.
"Obviously did a little better. Yeah, just feels really nice. Just kind of stayed in my zone the whole time."
The 36-year-old Lee won her only LPGA title 12 years ago in the Bahamas on a course shortened to 12 holes because of historic rain. But she had played only 18 times in the last seven years, finishing off her college degree, working briefly and now a part-time golf teacher.
"I worked for Financial Forum for 100 days and then got out," the world No.1426, who got into the field as a past tournament winner, said.
"Then I realise, 'Oh, I'm good at golf.' So I got to teach golf. I started teaching a little bit, not full-time, but I was teaching a little bit and I loved it. I absolutely loved it.
"So since then I was teaching a little bit and playing at the same time and rehabbing, more treatment on my shoulder and back and ankle. I still have few students waiting for me in LA so I get to see them next week."
Kupcho gets a much-needed win after going without a trophy after her three-win 2022 season.
"It just feels amazing," she said.
"I think I struggled a lot early in the year and had a lot of tough weeks, a lot of hard conversations, and it feels good."
South Korea's Sei Young Kim (65) was the third-place finisher, three strokes behind Kupcho.
Japan's Ayaka Furue (70) was fourth at 11 under while six golfers tied for fifth at 10 under: South Korea's Jin Hee Im (68), Spain's Azahara Munoz (68), Germany's Aline Krauter (68), Japan's Mao Saigo (71), Miyu Yamashita (69) and Taiwan's Wei-Ling Hsu (69).
World No.1 Nelly Korda (68) tied for 15th at eight under.
Australia's Roby Choi, who started the final round three shots off the lead, carded a 70 to finish nine under and joint 11th.
With Reuters & AAP.
Jennifer Kupcho has closed with an eight-foot birdie putt in light rain to hold off Ilhee Lee in the LPGA Classic, ending a drought of nearly three years without winning.
Kupcho, whose four Tour titles include a major at the Chevron Championship, birdied three of the last five holes in New Jersey for a five-under 66. She took the lead with a 20-foot birdie putt from just off the green on the 14th, and avoided a playoff with the putt on 18.
Lee was the 36-hole leader going into the final round on a rain-soaked Bay Course at Seaview Hotel, so drenched that the par-3 17th was moved up to play only 76 yards.
The South Korean finished with five birdies on the back nine for a 68, but it wasn't enough to catch Kupcho.
Kupcho finished at 15-under 198 in one of only two LPGA events contested over 54 holes.
"I think in my mind I had set on 14 under, so I was really just trying to get to that number," the 28-year-old American said.
"Obviously did a little better. Yeah, just feels really nice. Just kind of stayed in my zone the whole time."
The 36-year-old Lee won her only LPGA title 12 years ago in the Bahamas on a course shortened to 12 holes because of historic rain. But she had played only 18 times in the last seven years, finishing off her college degree, working briefly and now a part-time golf teacher.
"I worked for Financial Forum for 100 days and then got out," the world No.1426, who got into the field as a past tournament winner, said.
"Then I realise, 'Oh, I'm good at golf.' So I got to teach golf. I started teaching a little bit, not full-time, but I was teaching a little bit and I loved it. I absolutely loved it.
"So since then I was teaching a little bit and playing at the same time and rehabbing, more treatment on my shoulder and back and ankle. I still have few students waiting for me in LA so I get to see them next week."
Kupcho gets a much-needed win after going without a trophy after her three-win 2022 season.
"It just feels amazing," she said.
"I think I struggled a lot early in the year and had a lot of tough weeks, a lot of hard conversations, and it feels good."
South Korea's Sei Young Kim (65) was the third-place finisher, three strokes behind Kupcho.
Japan's Ayaka Furue (70) was fourth at 11 under while six golfers tied for fifth at 10 under: South Korea's Jin Hee Im (68), Spain's Azahara Munoz (68), Germany's Aline Krauter (68), Japan's Mao Saigo (71), Miyu Yamashita (69) and Taiwan's Wei-Ling Hsu (69).
World No.1 Nelly Korda (68) tied for 15th at eight under.
Australia's Roby Choi, who started the final round three shots off the lead, carded a 70 to finish nine under and joint 11th.
With Reuters & AAP.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Western United lodge appeal in A-Leagues licence fight
Western United have lodged an appeal against the decision to strip the club of their A-Leagues licence. United filed the appeal on Wednesday night ahead of the August 21 deadline set by Football Australia's First Instance Board (FIB) - an independent body responsible for club licensing. A brief statement released on the club website stated they would not be making further comments, given the regulatory process. United, based in Tarneit in Melbourne's western suburbs, was stripped of their licence for the men's and women's leagues by FIB on August 8 due to ongoing financial issues. It left United on the brink of folding and players and staff in limbo, just three years after their first A-League Men championship. The club vowed to appeal the decision and originally had until August 16 to submit their appeal, but requested an extension to 10am on August 21. United have been in financial turmoil for months, with the club's current owners unable to satisfy the financial criteria required to maintain their licence. A planned takeover by American group KAM Sports was announced in May. But the change has yet to be ticked off by the Australian Professional Leagues, because KAM hasn't submitted its full ownership proposal. Players and staff were paid late in April through to June, while superannuation payments were also delayed. The club has also been unable to register players due to a FIFA ban related to an ongoing dispute with former striker Aleksandar Prijovic. That ban meant now-departed Jaiden Kucharski and captain Ben Garuccio could not be registered in time to play in United's Australia Cup round-of-32 loss to Sydney FC. The United saga is also having an effect on other clubs, who are yet to receive their fixtures and therefore cannot plan for the season ahead or ramp up their marketing and membership sales. Western United have lodged an appeal against the decision to strip the club of their A-Leagues licence. United filed the appeal on Wednesday night ahead of the August 21 deadline set by Football Australia's First Instance Board (FIB) - an independent body responsible for club licensing. A brief statement released on the club website stated they would not be making further comments, given the regulatory process. United, based in Tarneit in Melbourne's western suburbs, was stripped of their licence for the men's and women's leagues by FIB on August 8 due to ongoing financial issues. It left United on the brink of folding and players and staff in limbo, just three years after their first A-League Men championship. The club vowed to appeal the decision and originally had until August 16 to submit their appeal, but requested an extension to 10am on August 21. United have been in financial turmoil for months, with the club's current owners unable to satisfy the financial criteria required to maintain their licence. A planned takeover by American group KAM Sports was announced in May. But the change has yet to be ticked off by the Australian Professional Leagues, because KAM hasn't submitted its full ownership proposal. Players and staff were paid late in April through to June, while superannuation payments were also delayed. The club has also been unable to register players due to a FIFA ban related to an ongoing dispute with former striker Aleksandar Prijovic. That ban meant now-departed Jaiden Kucharski and captain Ben Garuccio could not be registered in time to play in United's Australia Cup round-of-32 loss to Sydney FC. The United saga is also having an effect on other clubs, who are yet to receive their fixtures and therefore cannot plan for the season ahead or ramp up their marketing and membership sales. Western United have lodged an appeal against the decision to strip the club of their A-Leagues licence. United filed the appeal on Wednesday night ahead of the August 21 deadline set by Football Australia's First Instance Board (FIB) - an independent body responsible for club licensing. A brief statement released on the club website stated they would not be making further comments, given the regulatory process. United, based in Tarneit in Melbourne's western suburbs, was stripped of their licence for the men's and women's leagues by FIB on August 8 due to ongoing financial issues. It left United on the brink of folding and players and staff in limbo, just three years after their first A-League Men championship. The club vowed to appeal the decision and originally had until August 16 to submit their appeal, but requested an extension to 10am on August 21. United have been in financial turmoil for months, with the club's current owners unable to satisfy the financial criteria required to maintain their licence. A planned takeover by American group KAM Sports was announced in May. But the change has yet to be ticked off by the Australian Professional Leagues, because KAM hasn't submitted its full ownership proposal. Players and staff were paid late in April through to June, while superannuation payments were also delayed. The club has also been unable to register players due to a FIFA ban related to an ongoing dispute with former striker Aleksandar Prijovic. That ban meant now-departed Jaiden Kucharski and captain Ben Garuccio could not be registered in time to play in United's Australia Cup round-of-32 loss to Sydney FC. The United saga is also having an effect on other clubs, who are yet to receive their fixtures and therefore cannot plan for the season ahead or ramp up their marketing and membership sales.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Tszyu, Zerafa score merciless first-round TKO's
Nikita Tszyu has restored family pride and maintained his unbeaten record with a devastating first-round TKO win over the previously undefeated Lulzim Ismaili. Ismail's corner opted to stop the fight after the Macedonian copped a battering from "The Butcher" at the ICC Sydney Threatre on Wednesday night. In improving his own record to 11-0 and capturing the vacant WBO intercontinental super-welterweight title, Tszyu also extended his famous family's incredible record in Australia to 52-0. As well as Tszyu himself, the 27-year-old's Hall of Famer dad Kostya (18-0) and older former world champion brother Tim (23-0) - have never lost a professional fight in Australia. Victory for Tszyu may have set up a domestic blockbuster with his family's arch-rival Michael Zerafa, who earlier destroyed American Mikey Dahlman inside two minutes in the co-main event to claim the WBO intercontinental middleweight strap. The 33-year-old former world title challenger hurt Dahlman early with a big right before tripping and unfairly receiving a double count from the referee. An incredulous Zerafa mocked the decision and swiftly took matters into his own hands, punishing Dahlman further with a flurry of punches to the head. Standing corrected, the referee had no choice but to stop the fight and award Zerafa a TKO. While he would prefer to fight Tim Tszyu next, Zerafa said he was also prepared to settle for Nikita if need be - and show who's boss. "I believe I beat Nikita," he said. "Nikita's doing good things and beating who's in front of him and he's proving that he belongs at that level with me. "But I think there's a little bit more to do." If he really had his way, though, the WBC's soon-to-be fifth-ranked middleweight would prefer to be fighting internationally for boxing's biggest spoils than settling any scores in a domestic grudge match. "Overseas for a title eliminator, yeah, 100 per cent. Give me that," Zerafa said. "My dream was to be a world champion, not to fight one of the Tszyu brothers."
Mercury
3 hours ago
- Mercury
Tszyu v Ismaili, Live updates, results: Jarvis earns KO win, joins Nikita Tszyu queue
Nikita Tszyu returns to the boxing ring for the first time in 12 months against Lulzim Ismaili tonight at the ICC Theatre in Sydney. Tszyu has had a frustrating year, with a recurring hand injury delaying his comeback. It's one of the biggest talking points ahead of his comeback tonight, with Tszyu hoping he gets through unscathed. In the co-main event, Michael Zerafa fights American Mikey Dahlman. Nikita Tszyu returns to the boxing ring for the first time in 12 months. Picture: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous If they both win, Tszyu and Zerafa are scheduled to meet in a domestic blockbuster in December. Meanwhile, Sydney fighter Brock Jarvis is also on the card, taking on Sam Beck. If a fight between Tszyu and Zerafa falls apart, Jarvis – who is back training with Jeff Fenech – will step in to fight 'The Butcher'. Follow the action live in our blog below Originally published as Tszyu v Ismaili 2025 fight live updates and results: Nikita Tszyu stops Ismaili in one round
