LEONA MAGUIRE SECURED a top-10 finish at the Mediheal Championship while Matila Castren fired a 65 on Sunday become the first Finnish player to win on the LPGA Tour.
Cavan’s Maguire was in a group of four who finished on six-under for the tournament in a share of ninth place after carding a 70 in her final round which included four birdies.
The 26-year-old Castren, who started the day two shots back, finished at 14-under 274 at the Lake Merced Golf Club in San Francisco.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” said Castren, who was making just her 15th start on the Tour. “I knew one day it may be me but I didn’t think it would be so soon.
Advertisement
“I just played hole by hole and tried to stay really patient. I was thinking about winning the whole day. I just tried to focus on one shot at a time and it just happened.”
Castren got off to a hot start and was five under through the first five holes. She made birdie on the first three holes and then made a short eagle putt on the par-five fifth.
She made the turn at a sizzling 30, compiling a three-shot lead over third round leader Lee Min of Taiwan.
Castren and Lee duelled all round but in the end Lee fell just shy. Her 25-foot putt for eagle on 18 stopped an inch short of the hole. Lee dropped to her knees in disbelief.
Up next, Castren calmly knocked in a final birdie putt to cap off a sizzling round.
“I mean, winning a tournament you have to practice,” said Lee, “This is a great practice. Maybe after couple times I will be there.”
Ryu So-Yeon, of South Korea, and Aussie Hannah Green, both majors winners, finished in a tie for third at eight under.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Joint 9th-place finish for Maguire as Finland's Castren wins in San Francisco
LEONA MAGUIRE SECURED a top-10 finish at the Mediheal Championship while Matila Castren fired a 65 on Sunday become the first Finnish player to win on the LPGA Tour.
Cavan’s Maguire was in a group of four who finished on six-under for the tournament in a share of ninth place after carding a 70 in her final round which included four birdies.
The 26-year-old Castren, who started the day two shots back, finished at 14-under 274 at the Lake Merced Golf Club in San Francisco.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” said Castren, who was making just her 15th start on the Tour. “I knew one day it may be me but I didn’t think it would be so soon.
“I just played hole by hole and tried to stay really patient. I was thinking about winning the whole day. I just tried to focus on one shot at a time and it just happened.”
Castren got off to a hot start and was five under through the first five holes. She made birdie on the first three holes and then made a short eagle putt on the par-five fifth.
She made the turn at a sizzling 30, compiling a three-shot lead over third round leader Lee Min of Taiwan.
Castren and Lee duelled all round but in the end Lee fell just shy. Her 25-foot putt for eagle on 18 stopped an inch short of the hole. Lee dropped to her knees in disbelief.
Up next, Castren calmly knocked in a final birdie putt to cap off a sizzling round.
“I mean, winning a tournament you have to practice,” said Lee, “This is a great practice. Maybe after couple times I will be there.”
Ryu So-Yeon, of South Korea, and Aussie Hannah Green, both majors winners, finished in a tie for third at eight under.
© – AFP, 2021
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
leona maguire LPGA Mediheal Championship