Jennifer Kupcho wins ShopRite LPGA Classic, ends nearly three-year drought
Kupcho, whose four LPGA Tour titles include a major at the Chevron Championship, birdied three of the last five holes for a 5-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. She had two early bogeys and shot 39 on the front to fall back.
But the South Korean finished strong, with five birdies on the back, including the last two holes, for a 68. It wasn't enough to catch Kupcho, who was in her own world.
ALSO READ | Niemann wins in Virginia for fourth LIV Golf title this year
Kupcho finished at 15-under 198 in one of only two LPGA events contested over 54 holes.
'I really just wasn't thinking about anything else,' Kupcho said. 'I think in my mind I had set on 14 under, so I was really just trying to get to that number. 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 and working briefly for Financial Forum. Lately, she has been a part-time golf teacher.
Lee got into the field as a past tournament winner, at No. 1,426 in the women's world ranking.
'I worked for Financial Forum for 100 days and then got out,' Lee said. 'Then I realize, '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,' Kupcho 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.'
She said she carried some momentum from last week in the U.S. Women's Open, even though she missed the cup.
'Me and the U.S. Open sometimes just don't get along. I think I just carried my ball striking into this week,' Kupcho said. 'Hit the ball really well last week, hit it well this week, and just sunk some putts.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Mitch Marner's $96M Golden Knights move draws emotional response from Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews will miss Mitch Marner (Image via: Getty Images) Mitch Marner's blockbuster move to the Vegas Golden Knights has been one of the biggest NHL headlines of the summer. The former Toronto Maple Leafs star officially signed an eight-year, $96 million contract on July 1, ending his nine-season run in Toronto. While fans continue to process the departure, his longtime teammate Auston Matthews finally shared his thoughts, offering a heartfelt yet professional response. Auston Matthews breaks silence on Mitch Marner 's Golden Knights exit At the Hockey Night in Brampton charity event, Auston Matthews addressed Marner's exit for the first time. The Maple Leafs captain said, 'We'll obviously miss him, he's a great friend and great teammate. That's kind of the business side of it, that's tough, but wish him nothing but the best. We'll just keep it moving,' showing respect for his former linemate while preparing to lead Toronto into a new era. Marner, on the other hand, had no hesitation about his decision. He revealed that Vegas was very high on his list of preferred destinations and expressed gratitude for the opportunity. For the 28-year-old winger, the chance to join a Stanley Cup-winning franchise and settle into Nevada's thriving hockey atmosphere was simply too good to pass up. How Mitch Marner defined an era in Toronto During his nine-year tenure with the Maple Leafs, Mitch Marner cemented his place among the franchise greats. With 741 points in 657 games, he ranks fifth all-time in franchise scoring and consistently led Toronto in offensive production. Despite his impressive numbers and three NHL All-Star selections, Marner admitted it was 'very hard' to leave his hometown team without delivering a Stanley Cup. His emotional farewell post on Instagram reflected that regret, noting that representing Toronto was about community pride. Still, the allure of Vegas' winning culture and a fresh start proved decisive in shaping his future. Toronto Maple Leafs' path without Mitch Marner and Vegas Golden Knights' future with him While Vegas gains an elite playmaker in his prime, Toronto faces the challenge of filling a massive void. Nicolas Roy, acquired in the trade, adds depth, but the pressure falls on Matthews and the core to elevate their game. Despite a crushing playoff exit last season, Matthews remains optimistic, stressing that the bar remains high for the 2025-26 campaign. Also Read: Mike Sullivan's New York Rangers likely to test bold experiment with $68M forward Mika Zibanejad on wing beside J.T. Miller With Mitch Marner chasing a Stanley Cup in Vegas and Auston Matthews steering a reshaped Maple Leafs lineup, the 2025-26 NHL season is shaping up to be one of compelling storylines, renewed rivalries, and no shortage of drama. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
11 hours ago
- First Post
'Right time to groom a new leader': Ajinkya Rahane steps down as Mumbai captain ahead of new domestic season
Under Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy, Mumbai clinched the Ranji Trophy title in the 2023–24 season with a victory over Vidarbha in the final. Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday stepped down from his position as Mumbai captain ahead of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, saying it is the right time to groom a new leader. The 37-year-old, who has amassed 14000 runs in 201 first-class matches, however, will continue to play as a batter in the team. The Ranji season begins on October 15 and Mumbai will be up against Jammu and Kashmir in their opening game. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rahane quits Mumbai captain post 'Captaining and winning the championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour,' Rahane wrote on his 'X' account. 'With the new domestic season ahead, I believe it is the right time to groom a new leader, and hence, I have decided not to continue in the captaincy role. 'I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player, and will continue my journey with MCA to help us win more trophies, looking forward to the season,' he added. Captaining and winning championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour. With a new domestic season ahead, I believe it's the right time to groom a new leader, and hence I've decided not to continue in the captaincy role. I remain fully committed to giving my best… — Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) August 21, 2025 Under his captaincy, Mumbai clinched the Ranji Trophy title in the 2023–24 season with a victory over Vidarbha in the final. He also guided the team to triumph in the Irani Cup 2024–25, overcoming the Rest of India (ROI) side. Before these red-ball achievements, he led Mumbai to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in 2022–23, cementing his reputation as one of the finest captains in Indian domestic cricket.
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- The Hindu
Rahane steps down as Mumbai captain ahead of Ranji season
Veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane has stepped down as Mumbai's Ranji Trophy captain to 'groom a new leader' ahead of the upcoming season. He has, however, stressed that he will continue to don the team's lion's crest with pride. 'Captaining and winning championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour. With a new domestic season ahead, I believe it's the right time to groom a new leader, and hence I have decided not to continue in the captaincy role,' Rahane posted on social media. 'I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player and will continue my journey with Mumbai to help us win more trophies. Looking forward to the season.' The Hindu understands that Rahane's decision came the morning after major stakeholders of the men's cricket setup had a meeting to chart out a roadmap for the season. With Dilip Vengsarkar, the former India captain who has been appointed as the men's cricket advisor, in attendance along with the senior selection committee members and Cricket Improvement Committee members, the captaincy issue was discussed. Captaining and winning championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour. With a new domestic season ahead, I believe it's the right time to groom a new leader, and hence I've decided not to continue in the captaincy role. I remain fully committed to giving my best… — Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) August 21, 2025 According to an MCA insider, a message may have been relayed to Rahane about the selection committee looking for a new captain and the veteran responded favourably. Captaincy record Under Rahane's captaincy, Mumbai ended the eight-year Ranji Trophy title drought by lifting its 42nd title in 2023-24. The domestic powerhouse could not defend the title last season, losing to Vidarbha in the semifinal. Despite his impressive captaincy, Rahane, the run-machine, struggled to get going in the whites. In 2023-24, he had his worst Ranji season with the willow, tallying 214 runs in 13 innings at 17.83. In 2024-25, after having an exceptional Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with Shreyas Iyer at the helm, Rahane scored 467 runs in 14 innings at 35.92. With Rahane having stepped down as captain, he will be under pressure to justify his place in the team with a group of youngsters knocking on the selectors' door. The Mumbai selectors, with Sanjay Patil as chairman, will have to look for a new captain, meanwhile. With Shreyas Iyer likely to be unavailable for the whole season due to international commitments, the selectors are likely to hand over the reins to Shardul Thakur. The allrounder was recently announced as the West Zone captain for the Duleep Trophy. The other contenders include Shams Mulani, the vice-captain, and Siddhesh Lad, both of whom have led the team earlier. The 2025-26 Ranji season begins in October.
