Page 25 - Golf Champion - April 2022

ennifer Kupcho claimed her first LPGA title at the but still pulled it out.”
Jopening major of 2022, The Chevron Championship, Korda had a textbook start to her title challenge, eagling
finishing two shots clear of fellow American, Jessica her third hole of the day but then a run of straight pars
Korda, who finished in solo second place. until birdies at the 11th and 12th saw her unable to catch
In the final playing of the Championship at Mission Hills Kupcho. Korda was upbeat with her runner up finish
before moving to the Houston area, Kupcho took a six explaining: “I was further back starting than I wanted
shot lead into the final round. Despite stumbling slightly and bunch of lipouts, and it is what it is. Sometimes you
over her back nine and finishing the day two over par, got to be lucky to win majors, and I still haven’t found that
the 24 year old’s lead proved unassailable as she finished yet. Second place is not bad after being 3-over through 7,
with a four round total of 274, 14 under par and claimed so pretty proud of myself.”
the honor of making the final Champion’s leap into The 17 year old Slovenian Pia Babnik, who has already
Poppie’s Pond. impressed with two wins on the Ladies European
Kupcho commented: “I think it’s surreal. To be a major Tour (winning her first professional event at the 2021
winner is really special, and to be the last person here Jabra Ladies Open) shot a final round 66 to race up the
at Mission Hills to jump into Poppie’s Pond, it’s all really leaderboard.
special. Honestly, I came out just trying to shoot a couple With a year and half still to complete high school, Babnik
under. I mean, I had a six-stroke lead and I shot 8-under was thrilled with her final round 66 that saw her finish
yesterday, so I figured if someone can do that, then they in third place in what was the first time she had made
deserve to be in a playoff. That was my mentality and a cut in a major: “I was really happy with my game this
what I was fighting for all day. Obviously didn’t get there, week. It’s been great. It’s such course that you have to be

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