Categories crunchfx

Lauren Coughlin scores first LPGA win with CPKC Women’s Open

CALGARY, Alberta — Lauren Coughlin won the CPKC Women’s Open on Sunday to capture her first title on the LPGA Tour, holding off Haeran Ryu with a two-putt lead on the par-3 17th hole.

Coughlin, who tied the lead after Ryu made bogey with three putts on the par-4 16th hole, made birdie on the 195-yard 17th hole with a 6-iron to 8 feet. Ryu then missed a 3-foot par try to fall two shots behind.

“It was kind of like a breakout,” Coughlin said. “I could really only hit 6s and I had to get some of it out or it could have gone over, especially considering how drunk I was at the time.

“But I hit it pretty perfectly and on the shot, I thought it was going to almost go left and at the last second I dove to the right. It was huge.”

In mostly calm conditions at Earl Grey Golf Club, with smoke from wildfires again clouding the course, he finished 13-under 275 and shot 1-under 71 to take a two-stroke victory over Mao Saigo.

Saigo shot 69 the day after setting a tournament record with 61 shots on a course with dense, rough and small greens surrounded by trees.

“It was a great experience for me to be in the competition this week,” said Saigo, a 22-year-old Japanese player who is a six-time JLPGA champion and a rookie on the LPGA Tour.

Ryu also made a bogey 75 on the 18th hole and tied for third with Jenny Shin (67) at 10 under.

“I just remember my mistakes on the last few holes, but there’s always the next time,” Ryu said.

Jennifer Kupcho finished fifth with a 71 at 8 under.

Coughlin, who led the first two rounds, started the day one shot behind Ryu. Coughlin made birdie on the par-3 fifth hole, bogeys on the par-4 sixth and 10th holes and birdie on the par-5 15th hole.

The 31-year-old former University of Virginia player finished fourth at the Evian Championships in France two weeks ago.

“I think my story overall is that I’m always trying, I’m always going to try to do something,” Coughlin said. “I’m willing to stay in it. I’m not giving up. I think I demonstrated that perfectly today.”

Coughlin is in position to play for the United States in her home state’s Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in September. She won in her 103rd LPGA Tour start.

“I don’t even know how to describe it,” Coughlin said. “People have really believed in me for a long time, and I wouldn’t be here without their support and love.”

Ryu finished in the top three for the second time in a row. The 23-year-old South Korean finished second at the Dana Open in Ohio last week. He won his first tour title last year by winning the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.

“I’ll do my best from now on,” Ryu said.

Canadian star Brooke Henderson, the 2018 winner, finished with a 68 to tie for eighth place at 6-under. On Friday, she made a bogey-free 73 over the final four holes and entered the weekend seven strokes behind.

“I feel right there,” Henderson said. “Great days like yesterday and today, minus-7 total, so if I could just clean up the first two days a little bit, I could be right in the mix.”