Photo credit: www.skysports.com
The Chevron Championship: A Dramatic Finish in Texas
Ariya Jutanugarn faced a heartbreaking moment at the final hole of regulation, ultimately leading to her defeat in a five-way playoff at The Chevron Championship in Texas. The event saw Mao Saigo clinch her first major title in a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
As Jutanugarn approached the 18th green from the rough, an unexpected mishap occurred as her chip shot barely moved, leaving her with a disappointing finish. This error allowed her opponents to catch up, and she ended up making a bogey six, resulting in a tie at seven under par and the necessity of a playoff.
Joining her in the playoff were Hyo-Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, and Lindy Duncan, all of whom capitalized on their opportunities on the final green. While Yin, Duncan, and Saigo all successfully sank birdie putts, Kim missed a crucial chance that could have secured her victory in regulation play.
Playoff Drama Unfolds
The playoff hole was as chaotic as the preceding moments, with Yin missing an eagle putt that would have clinched the championship and subsequent birdie attempt resulting in a lip-out. After Jutanugarn and Kim also missed their birdie chances, Saigo maintained her composure. Despite a challenging final round where she shot a two-over 74, she drained her birdie putt, marking a significant milestone as she celebrated her first LPGA Tour victory, following six wins on the LPGA of Japan Tour.
Jutanugarn’s Near Miss for a Third Major Title
Jutanugarn began the day with aspirations of capturing her third major title and her first since 2018. Earlier in the tournament, she demonstrated strong performance, including two birdies and an eagle within her first eight holes, giving her a two-shot lead. However, a series of bogeys, particularly at the ninth and thirteenth holes, disrupted her momentum. Jutanugarn’s significant misstep at the 18th may have stemmed from the pressure of not having won since 2021.
Korda’s Struggles as Defending Champion
Defending champion Nelly Korda, ranked number one in the world, faced difficulties of her own, finishing tied for 14th at two under par. Korda’s campaign for back-to-back titles was wrecked early on with a challenging opening round of five-over 77 and compounded by double bogeys during her third round. Despite closing with a two-under 70, she could not regain momentum from her earlier struggles.
Lexi Thompson, pursuing her second major title, saw her ambitions fade after a lackluster final round of four-over 76. After starting strong at six under, her performance was inconsistent, a concern for a player who has temporarily stepped back from full-time competition.
The top European competitor was Carlota Ciganda, finishing in ninth place at four under, while England’s Georgia Hall concluded the event tied for 28th at one over par.
Fans can catch the LPGA Tour’s upcoming Black Desert Championship live on Sky Sports+ at 11 PM on Thursday and then from midnight on Sky Sports Golf. Stream golf and more sport with NOW – no contract.
Source
www.skysports.com