Strom's '60 strokes'... 'So close, the dream 59 strokes'

ShopRite Classic Final 3R 11 Under Par
6th Ever '60-Shot Member' in LPGA Tour History
Sorenstam's Unique '59-Shot' Record in 2001

Linea Strom (Sweden) narrowly missed the ‘dream score of 59’.

Rinea Strom (left) is smiling brightly with her playing partner Marina Alex after shooting 11-under-par 60 in the final third round of the ShopRite Classic. [Galloway, USA = AFP·Yonhap News]

On the 9th (local time), at the Seaview Bay Course (par 71, 6,190 yards) in Galloway, New Jersey, USA, during the final 3rd round of the LPGA Tour ShopRite Classic (total prize money $1.75 million), she recorded an 11-under-par 60. She made 1 eagle and 9 birdies. She reduced 6 strokes in the front nine, including 1 eagle, and also made 5 birdies in the back nine, including 3 consecutive birdies from holes 16 to 18.

Strom joined the LPGA Tour’s all-time 6th ‘60 club’ for the first time in 3 years since Jessica Korda (USA) in 2021. Paula Creamer (2008), Anna Eaker-Makowska (2004), Meg Mallon (2003, all USA), and Lee Jeong-yeon (2004) also recorded scores of 60. The only player to shoot in the 50s on the LPGA Tour is the ‘living golf legend’ Annika Sorenstam (Sweden). Sorenstam shot the ‘dream score’ of 59 during the 2nd round of the 2001 Standard Register Ping Tournament (par 72).

After the round, Strom said, "I knew I was scoring well, but I didn’t realize I was close to 59. It was a bit unlucky that I couldn’t reach the green in two shots on the 18th hole (par 5)." She added, "It was enjoyable to see people cheering outside. My father also followed me around for three days," expressing her gratitude. Strom debuted on the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour (LET) in 2019. She is ranked 165th in the world and has yet to win on the main tour. She has won twice on the LPGA Epson (2nd tier) Tour.

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