Linn Grant has capped a memorable week at the Dana Open by capturing her first LPGA title in Sylvania, Ohio.
Grant, 24, shot a three-under 68 in the final round to post the winning score of 21-under 263 at Highland Meadows Golf Club on Sunday, three shots ahead of runner-up Allisen Corpuz.
Australia’s Steph Kyriacou, who had gone into the final day tied for second, shot a two-under 69 to finish tied for fourth at 14 under.
Sweden’s Grant entered the day with a six-stroke lead after firing a 62 in the third round.
She has won five times on the Ladies European Tour but had yet to taste success stateside.
“I’ve been thinking about it all day,” Grant said on the CBS broadcast.
“I’ve imagined this day so many times in so many ways in my own mind. Just being here now, I’m so speechless.”
After Grant’s third-round 62 featured eight birdies, an eagle and a bogey to help her flirt with a historic 59, she started her final round with seven straight pars before a birdie at the par-3 eighth.
She held a two-stroke cushion by the time she reached the final hole, a par five, where she two-putted for birdie.
“I (knew) I could be a bit more relaxed, but I also knew that this course is very scorable,” Grant said.
“I was just thinking that someone was going to shoot the same score I did yesterday.
“The conditions are a bit tougher today, but that was my game plan and my mindset coming into today.”
Corpuz, a week after her breakthrough US Women’s Open victory, carded a bogey-free 65 on Sunday, her lowest round of the week. Five of her six birdies came over the final eight holes.
“Linn’s a solid player and a six-shot lead is tough to overcome,” said Corpuz, who said she was focused on rest and recovery after her whirlwind week at Pebble Beach.
“I really just tried to come out and just give it my best shot.”
A double-bogey on the 11th followed by successive bogeys on the 13th and 14th blew a hole in Minjee Lee’s hopes as she shot a final-round 70 to finish tied for seventh at 12 under.
Grace Kim carded a 69 to end a shot further back in 11th, while Gabrielle Ruffels was seven under for the tournament for a share of 23rd.
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