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進入《TAIPEI TIMES》 Castren holds off Taiwan’s Lee
Taiwan’s Min Lee reacts after missing a putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the LPGA Mediheal Championship in Daly City, California, on Sunday. Photo: AFP
/ AP, DALY CITY, California
Matilda Castren on Sunday became the first Finnish winner in LPGA Tour history in the LPGA Mediheal Championship, pulling away on the front nine at foggy Lake Merced and holding off Taiwan’s Min Lee by two strokes.
“It’s a huge honor to be a winner as a rookie, and especially first one from Finland,” Castren said. “That’s a really big honor.”
Two strokes behind Lee entering the final day, Castren birdied the first three holes, eagled the par-five fifth and birdied the par-five ninth for a front-nine 30. She followed with eight straight pars and holed a three-foot birdie putt on the par-five 18th for a seven-under 65.
“It’s been a dream of mine to win since I was a little girl, and to see it happen and just to win, it’s such an amazing feeling,” Castren said. “There is nothing that compares to it. One of my thoughts was: ‘Well, I don’t have to go to Q-school [qualifying school] this fall.’”
The 26-year-old won in her 15th career LPGA Tour start. She finished at 14-under 274 after tying for 30th last week in the US Women’s Open.
“I was definitely nervous, so my mindset was just going in thinking one shot at a time, one hole at a time, and see what happens, and just trying to enjoy the day because it was my first time in the final group,” Castren said. “I thought it was great for experience no matter what happened. It just turned out I had a great day on the course and got the trophy.”
Lee finished with a 69. She cut Castren’s lead to one with a birdie on the par-five 15th, but dropped a stroke with a two-putt bogey on the par-three 17th.
“I think I’m playing good today,” Lee said. “Obviously, she played much better on the front, so I’m not going to punish myself because it was a great week.”
Lee missed a chance to became the first player to follow a Symetra Tour victory with an LPGA Tour win in her next start. The 26-year-old won the Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship two weeks ago in Florida on the developmental tour.
“Winning a tournament you have to practice, and this is a great practice,” Lee said. “Maybe after couple times I will be there.”
Hannah Green （66） and Ryu So-yeon （67） tied for third at eight-under.
Taiwan’s Hsu Wei-ling was tied for 40th place after an even-par 288.
Additional reporting by staff writer
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
