Lauren Coughlin secured a maiden LPGA Tour triumph thanks to a two-shot victory at the Canadian Women’s Open.
The 31-year-old American, alongside Japan’s Mao Saigo, was a shot behind South Korea’s Haeran Ryu following the par-five 15th at Earl Grey Golf Club but found herself level following the par-four 16th after the South Korean three-putted for bogey. Coughlin went onto sink an eight-foot birdie putt at 195-yard 17th to gain a two-shot lead over Ryu and Saigo. Then secured the long-awaited win with a par on the 18th to close with a one-under 71 in the final round and end on 13 under.
“It’s kind of indescribable. Never really thought it would happen but it did,” Coughlin said.
“I’ve had people believe in me for a really long time and I wouldn’t be here without their push and their love.”
Prior to this event, Coughlin’s best finishes this year have come at the majors with solid showing at the Chevron Championship and the Evian Championship, finishing third and fourth respectively.
“I felt like I hung in there all day. I didn’t really make anything, played super patient and stuck with it and they eventually went in.”
“I don’t give up and I think I showed that perfectly today.”
LPGA Tour rookie Saigo produced her best finish on the LPGA Tour so far, helped by a final-round 69, to end on 11 under while there was a tie for third between South Korean pair Ryu and Jenny Shin.
What is the next event?
The next event on the LPGA Tour is the Portland Classic taking place between 1-4 August at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Oregon.