Rookie sensation Ingrid Lindblad has broken through for her maiden LPGA Tour win as Australian stars Minjee Lee and Hannah Green tuned up nicely for golf’s first women’s major of the year.
Lindblad converted a three-way share of the third-round lead into a nailbiting one-shot victory at the LA Championship with a closing four-under-par 68 on Sunday (Monday AEST).
The 25-year-old former world amateur No.1 prevailed after fellow tour rookie Akie Iwai bogeyed the last hole trying to match Lindblad’s 21-under total to force a playoff.
German Esther Henseleit fired a bogey-free 64 to share third with Iwai’s fellow Japanese first-year LPGA player Miyu Yamashita (66) and American Lauren Coughlin (70).
Lee bogeyed the last hole in a round of 69 to settle for a tie for seventh with South Korean former world No.1 Jin Young Ko (66), with Green one stroke further back in joint-ninth after a final-round 67.
Green had been bidding for a title hat-trick after winning the previous two editions of the LA Championship played at Wiltshire Country Club.
But the world No.5 and 2019 PGA PGA Championship winner showcased her credentials for a second career major next week in Texas with another classy performance at the tournament’s temporary new host venue, the El Cabarello Country Club.
Green posted all four rounds in the 60s, while fellow West Australian Lee will rue a disappointing third-round 70 that left the dual major winner chasing all day on Sunday.
Lee leaked four shots in a disastrous four-hole stretch on Saturday featuring four missed putts inside four feet.
The four-stroke lapse ultimately proved the difference as the former world No.2’s 18-month title drought continues.
Nevertheless, Lee boasts three top-10s and a tie for 11th from six starts in 2025 and should arrive at the Chevron Championship in a confident mood for the season’s first major starting on Thursday.
World No.1 Nelly Korda is the reigning champion and warmed up for her title defence with a tie for 16th in Los Angeles after closing with an even-par 72.
Australian Steph Kyriacou also shared 16th at 14 under following a final-round 68.
Lindlblad is the second Swede in as many events to win on the LPGA Tour after Madelene Sagstrom took out the Match Play in Las Vegas a fortnight ago.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/golf/rookie-wins-la-championship-as-lee-green-finish-top-10-c-18438399
