Jodi Ewart Shadoff secured a long-awaited maiden LPGA Tour title at the 246th attempt after hanging on for a one-shot victory at the Mediheal Championship.

The 34-year-old from Yorkshire began the final day with a four-shot lead after earlier rounds of 65, 69 and 69 at The Saticoy Club in California, but two nervy bogeys over the front nine on Sunday, offset by a solitary birdie, saw her lead completely eroded by the time she reached the turn.

However, Ewart Shadoff soon steadied the ship with birdies at 12 and 14, and solid pars over the four closing holes saw her card a one-under 71 and a one-shot victory.

Japan’s Yuka Saso birdied her final three holes for a 66 to take her into second place, while Georgia Hall’s final round 65 lifted her to tied-third alongside Paula Reto and Danielle Kang.

Ewart Shadoff, who struggled with injury last year, said: “It’s a little bit surreal. I didn’t know if this moment would ever come. I’m just really grateful for everybody who’s on my team. I’m standing here with the trophy because of them.”

She added: “I’ve been through a lot in the past couple of years with injuries, and I found it a pretty significant mental challenge to get through that. There were times when I didn’t think I would be playing this year, but I didn’t give up on myself. I’ve learned that I can fight through adversity and I can play under the nerves. The last putt was only a foot, but it felt like 20!”

Ewart Shadoff’s victory earned her $270,000 and a move up to 61^st in the world ranking from her previous position in 92^nd.

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Charley Hull won her first LPGA Tour event in almost six years when capturing the Ascendant LPGA benefiting Volunteers of America title.

The 26-year-old from Kettering fired rounds of 67, 64, 71 and 64 at Old American Golf Club in Texas to finish on -18 for a one-shot win over China’s Xiyu Lina, with New Zealand’s Lydia Ko a further shot back in third.

Going into Sunday’s final round, Hull, Lin and Ko were all tied at the top on 11-under. Hull carded four birdies on the front nine to move to 14-under, but she was still one behind Lin and Ko.

There was nothing to split the trio when they reached the 12th tee, but Hull, who had been playing aggressively all week, recorded three birdies in a row to edge ahead. She began her run with a wedge to five feet for birdie on 12, and then hit a superb pitch from behind the green on the par-5 13th to two feet. She watched anxiously as her approach to par-4 14th was in the air, but it settled 12 feet away and she rolled in the putt for yet another birdie.

Both Lin and Ko kept the pressure on Hull down the stretch, with Lin birdieing the par-3 16th and bagging an eagle at the par-five 17th to move to within one shot of the leader, while Ko made birdies at 15 and 17.

When Hull birdied 17, Lin required a birdie of her own at the last to force a play-off, but both players could only manage pars, and the title was Hull’s.

The win marks a remarkable turnaround for Hull, who has endured a few tough years after bursting onto the scene as a teenager. She said: “I have come close a few times since last winning a title, but I have put in some good work this year. I think I know my game is there, it was just a question of having the confidence. I feel really good, I felt in control of my game all week, and I feel very proud of myself to have got back in the winner’s circle.”

Hull now joins Laura Davies and Alison Nicholas on the list of English women to have won multiple LPGA Tour titles.

CHARLEY HULL WITB
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (8°)
Fairway wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15°)
Hybrid: TaylorMade SIM (19°)
Irons: TaylorMade P·7MB (4-PW)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG3 (50°, 54°, 60°)
Putter: TaylorMadeTP Soto Hydro Blast
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x

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Thai teenager Atthaya Thitikul has become the first LPGA Tour rookie in five years to win twice in one season after she defeated Danielle Kang in a sudden-death playoff at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship held at Pinnacle Country Club.

Kang holed out for eagle on the 18th hole in regulation to take the clubhouse lead at 17 under. Thitikul matched her total with a birdie on the penultimate hole and signed for a closing 68, following up a 10-under-par 62 on Saturday. Thitikul won the play-off with a birdie at the second extra hole.

Victory saw the 19-year-old extend her lead in the LPGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year race over South Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi. Her first LPGA Tour success came at the JTBC Classic in March, where she also won in a play-off.

Last season, Thitikul won the LET’s Race to Costa del Sol, Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year award, joining Laura Davies, Carlota Ciganda and Esther Henseleit as the only players to win the latter two honours in the same season.

Atthaya Thitikul WITB

DRIVER: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond (9°)
FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway Rogue ST LS (15°)
HYBRIDS: Callaway Apex UW (19°), Callaway Apex 4H (21°)
IRONS: Callaway Apex Pro (5-PW)
WEDGES: Callaway Jaws Forged (48°, 52°, 58°)
PUTTER: Odyssey Toulon Atlanta
BALL: Callaway Chrome Soft X

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