Ariya finishes 2nd again as Nordqvist lifts Founders Cup
PHOENIX: Anna Nordqvist closed with a four-under 68 at the LPGA Tour’s Founders Cup on Sunday to hold off a trio of major champions and earn her first victory of 2017.
Over the four days, Nordqvist posted 26 birdies, one eagle and just three bogeys to finish at 25-under 263, two shots better than Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, South Korean Chun In-Gee and Stacy Lewis of the US.
It is the second consecutive runner-up spot for Ariya who won five titles last year.
This is the first win for the 29-year-old Nordqvist since the debacle at the 2016 US Women’s Open where she was assessed a two-stroke penalty in the play-off which allowed Brittany Lang to the claim the title.
“Of all the wins this is probably one of the ones that’s going to be more special,” the Swede said.
Nordqvist’s score to par came within two strokes of the LPGA record of 27-under set in 2001 by fellow Swede Annika Sorenstam and matched last year by Kim Sei-Young. All three rounds took place in Phoenix.
The win was the seventh on the LPGA Tour and ninth internationally for Nordqvist, who played American college golf at nearby Arizona State.
“If it wouldn’t be for me getting an opportunity to come to Arizona State University about 10 years ago, I wouldn’t be here today. This truly still feels like home, even though I’m based in Florida,” Nordqvist said.