‘Chevron Champ’ Cupcho “I am also a 2-win champ~”… ‘Number 2’ Koda “Tied for 2nd with Maguire” (Summary)

At the Second Hole of the Meyer Classic Extension, 'Winning Birdie'; Lydia Ko 4th, Thompson and Jessica Tied 4th, Choi Na-yeon and Choi Un-jung Tied 18th

Jennifer Kupcho is smiling brightly while holding the trophy immediately after winning the Meyer Classic in a playoff on the final day. Grand Rapids, USA = Getty Images/Multivitz

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a celebration of Jennifer Kupcho (USA), ranked 16th in the world, securing her second victory.

On the 20th (Korean time) at Blyderfield Golf Club (par 72, 6,556 yards) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, the final day of the LPGA Tour Meijer Classic (total prize money $2.5 million) saw Kupcho add a 1-under-par round to tie with 'Number 2' Nelly Korda (USA) and 'Drive On Champ' Leona Maguire (Ireland) at 18-under-par 270. She then clinched the precious 'winning birdie' on the second hole of the playoff at the 18th hole (par 5).

This marks her second career win, two months after her first victory at this year's first major, the Chevron Championship in April, with a winner's prize of $375,000 (48 million KRW). She joined 'multi-champions' including Minjee Lee (Australia), the US Women's Open champion. Kupcho was born in 1997 in Littleton, Colorado, USA, and started playing golf at age five. She gained attention by winning the 2018 NCAA Division Golf Championship and the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur in 2019.

She held the 'Amateur Number 1' spot for 34 weeks. After finishing second in the LPGA Q-Series in November 2018, she debuted on the professional stage the following year. She drew the spotlight by finishing tied for second at the 2019 major Evian Championship, behind 'Number 1' Ko Jin-young (27). She also finished second at the 2020 ShopRite Classic and last year's Drive On Championship. This season, she is gradually proving her worth by ending a severe win drought at the Chevron Championship.

Defending champion Nelly Korda is teeing off on the 12th hole on the final day of the Meijer Classic. Grand Rapids, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

Kupcho started the final round one stroke behind in second place, recording one eagle, three birdies, two bogeys, and one double bogey. At the first hole of the resumed playoff on the 18th, she missed a 1-meter eagle putt but secured the win with a '2-on 2-putt' on the second hole. Maguire missed a 1-meter birdie putt and settled for runner-up. Defending champion Korda, who returned after overcoming thrombosis and a four-month hiatus, failed to defend her title but showed resilience by finishing runner-up in only her second tournament back.

Lydia Ko (New Zealand) finished 4th (17-under-par 271), while Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda (both USA), and Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand) tied for 5th (16-under-par 272). No Korean players made it into the 'Top 10.' Choi Na-yeon (35) posted the best Korean result, tied for 18th (11-under-par 277) alongside Choi Woon-jung (32), who improved by three strokes. Anna Lin (26) tied for 24th (10-under-par 278), and Kim Hyo-joo (27) and Choi Hye-jin (23) tied for 40th (8-under-par 280).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.