Kupcho, Salas triumph at LPGA team event

Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas won the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational on Saturday, closing with a 9-under 61 in best-ball play for a five-stroke victory in the LPGA Tour’s lone team event.

The U.S. Solheim Cup partners finished at 26-under 254 at Midland Country Club. They opened Wednesday with a 68 in alternate shot, shot a bestball 61 on Thursday and took a four-stroke lead Friday with an alternate-shot 64.

“It was amazing to be alongside Lizette,” Kupcho said. “I think I was a little nervous coming into today just because I didn’t want to let her down. I’m sure she probably felt the same way.”

Kupcho won for the third time this year and in her career, while Salas won her second tour title. Kupcho won the major Chevron Championship in early April in the California desert and the Meijer LPGA Classic last month in Belmont, Michigan. Salas also won the 2014 Kingsmill Championship.

“It’s been a long time,” Salas said. “I couldn’t have done it without her. She’s a great competitor, a great friend, and an mazing partner on the golf course. We played some amazing golf this week. My job was — or my goal was — to play well for her. We showcased how our games can complement each other.”

They were 2-0-1 as partners in the 2021 Solheim Cup.

“We were clicking all week,” Kupcho said. “I think we just have a lot of faith in each other. We make each other comfortable. So we just know that if we mess up the other person has got us.”

Matilda Castren and Kelly Tan were second after a 62.