O'Connell earns chance to conjure a shock in Magic Box
Sydney's Chris O'Connell has earned himself an inviting shy at Taylor Fritz in the Madrid Open, hoping to conjure up a sensation in the 'Magic Box' with the American world no.4 a potentially vulnerable target after his 2025 injury woes.
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The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Clutch Kupcho ends near three-year LPGA drought
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. 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.
West Australian
9 hours ago
- West Australian
Clutch Kupcho ends near three-year LPGA drought
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.
Perth Now
9 hours ago
- Perth Now
Clutch Kupcho ends near three-year LPGA drought
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.
