Angela Stanford, in her 18th season on the LPGA Tour, finally claimed her first major title.
The 40-year-old Stanford survived a wild finish to shoot 3-under-par 68 and win the Evian Championship, fifth and final major of the LPGA season, by one stroke over four players at Evian Resort Golf Club (https://www.evianresort-golf-club.com/en/home) in Evian-les-Bains, France.
“I have no idea what just happened,” said Sanford, who claimed her sixth career victory on the circuit but first in a major after 13 finishes in the top 10. “I’m grateful. And so happy for everybody at home, everybody that’s all cheered for me and never gave up on me.
“I mean, God is funny. He catches you off guard just when you think that maybe you’re done. It’s amazing.”
Stanford finished off the final round with a run of eagle-double bogey-birdie-par, barely missing a birdie putt on the last hole to finish at 12-under 278 and was one shot behind Amy Olson, who shot 65-65 in the middle rounds but was still on the course.
But Olson, 26, seeking her first LPGA victory, missed a six-foot bogey putt on the last hole to shoot 74 and finish in a tie for second with Mo Martin (70) of Pasadena and UCLA, Austin Ernst (68) and Sei Young Kim (72) of South Korea.
“It’s disappointing to finish like that,” said Olson, whose previous best finish in an LPGA tournament was a tie for seventh in 2014 Lotte Championship in Hawaii. “I committed to every shot and did everything I could.”
“But I had a great week. I have so many positive things to take away from it. I’m very pleased. This is my best finish in a major, so that’s always a positive.”
Ryann O’Toole of San Clemente and UCLA, and Jeongeung Lee of South Korea closed with 66s to wind up two back in a tie for sixth, while Jessica Korda shot 68 to finish one more down in a tie for eighth with Inbee Park of South Korea, who had a 71.
Lydia Ko of New Zealand totaled 67 and was four behind in a tie for 10th with Katherine Kirk (69) of Australia and Pepperdine, Brooke Henderson (68) of Canada, and South Koreans So Yeon Ryu (72) and Mi Hyang Lee (69).
Defending champion Anna Nordqvist of Sweden shot 70 and tied for 44th.
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