Washington (AFP) – Spain’s Carlota Ciganda ended her eight-and-a-half year title drought with a one-shot victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan on Sunday. The veteran Spaniard, who had been part of a six-way tie for the lead after Saturday’s third round, closed with a five-under-par 67 to clinch her first win since winning in Mexico in 2016.
Ciganda snatched the lead to move to 16 under after back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th holes, edging her just in front of South Korea’s Choi Hye-jin, who shot a closing 68 to finish on 15 under. Lee Somi was third after a dazzling seven-under-par 65 to finish on 14 under, ahead of three players tied on 13 under including France’s Celine Boutier and US star Lexi Thompson.
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But the day belonged to Ciganda, whose round included seven birdies with two bogeys. “Winning is always very special,” Ciganda said afterwards. “(The last) was in Mexico in 2016. I wanted to win in the US and I think winning against all these really good players — it’s very special. I think a lot of mental work that I put in on these months and years. I think when you win it’s when you realize all the hard work pays off.”
© 2024 AFP
