Clutch Kupcho ends near three-year LPGA drought

West Australian

9 hours ago

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.