Sweden’s Maria Hjorth capitalized on teenager Alexis Thompson’s final-round fade on Sunday, rallying to win the Avnet LPGA Classic for her fifth LPGA tour title.
Hjorth posted a second-straight five-under-par 67 for a 10-under total of 278.
She was two strokes in front of South Korea’s Kim Song-hee, who carded a 71 for 280 on the Crossings course.
Meanwhile, Thompson carded a fourth-round 78, settling for a tie for 19th place after starting the day tied for the lead with Kim.
Thompson, the 16-year-old who was trying to become the LPGA’s youngest ever winner, opened and closed her round with bogeys, and had double-bogeys at the 14th and 15th as she found the water at both holes.
Thompson waved to thank the gallery for loud applause as she approached the final hole. However, she departed the 18th with a pained expression.
“I just didn’t hit it very solid,” Thompson said, insisting nerves weren’t the problem. “My driver wasn’t that bad, but my irons weren’t good. I just wasn’t trusting anything. I don’t know why, because I wasn’t even that nervous surprisingly. It definitely was [a learning experience]. I’m only 16, so I’m just learning every tournament.”
South Korea’s Choi Na-yeon carded a 69 and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen shot a 70 to finish three back on 281.
Taiwan’s Candie Kung carded a one-over 73 to finish tied for 37th place on 290.
Hjorth’s husband Shaun McBride, who usually caddies on the PGA Tour, carried her bag.
The Swede’s seven birdies included four in a five-hole span from the third, a burst that saw her vault into the lead.
“I knew I just had to be patient,” Hjorth said. “Obviously my goal going in I was trying to get double digits [under par], which is pretty hard to do. I didn’t think it was going to be enough for a win, but obviously it was.”
She watched as Kim’s approach at the 18th found a bunker, then let herself celebrate.
“She could have holed out her shot,” Hjorth said. “It wasn’t until she hit her second shot that I knew I was going to win the tournament.”
The South Korean had narrowed the gap with an eagle on the par-five 16th.
“I knew she was 10-under through like 14, but I didn’t look at the scoreboard after I had an eagle,” Kim said. “I was just kind of playing my game.”
Despite her disappointment, Thompson will likely have more chances to become the LPGA’s youngest winner.
She still has nearly two years to top Marlene Hagge, who was 18 years, 14 days when she won the 18-hole Sarasota Open.
Hagge won two 18-hole events at 18. Paula Creamer is the youngest winner of a multi-round event, winning the 2005 Sybase Classic at 18 years, 9 months, 17 days.
Hjorth advised Thompson not to dwell on the negative.
“I just hope that she learns things from it,” Hjorth said.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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