https://www.lpga.com/news/2025/sagstrom-wins-t-mobile-match-play-over-coughlin-to-earn-first-title-in-nearly-1900-days

[Recap written by ChatGPT]

Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden clinched her second LPGA Tour victory by winning the T-Mobile Match Play at Shadow Creek Golf Course in North Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, April 6, 2025. She defeated Lauren Coughlin 1 up in the final match, marking her first tour win since January 2020.

Sagstrom’s path to victory was grueling, involving 36 holes against three different opponents on the final day. Her quarterfinal match against France’s Celine Boutier was suspended due to darkness on Saturday, with both players tied through 17 holes. They resumed play on Sunday, and Sagstrom secured a birdie on the 19th hole to advance. She then faced Angel Yin in the semifinals, winning 4 and 2 to set up the final against Coughlin.

In the final, Sagstrom took an early lead by winning four of the first six holes. However, a double-bogey on the seventh hole allowed Coughlin to gain momentum, leading to a back-and-forth battle. The match was ultimately decided on the 16th hole, where Coughlin recorded a double-bogey, giving Sagstrom the advantage she needed to secure the win.

Reflecting on her victory, Sagstrom expressed her exhaustion and determination: “I’m exhausted and I bet Lauren is exhausted. I’m so tired and I think it really kind of hit my swing there in the middle. I said to [caddie Shane Codd], ‘I can do this. I just need to find some sort of feeling to hit some good golf shots again.'”

This win adds to Sagstrom’s impressive career, which includes multiple titles on the Symetra Tour.

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https://www.lpga.com/news/2025/hyo-joo-kim-rallies-with-64-and-beats-lilia-vu-in-an-lpga-playoff-in-arizona

[Recap written by ChatGPT]

In a thrilling display of skill and determination, South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim captured her seventh LPGA title at the Ford Championship on March 30, 2025.

Starting the final round four strokes behind the leader, Kim delivered a sensational 8-under 64, featuring nine birdies. This remarkable performance propelled her into a playoff against Lilia Vu, who carded a 4-under 68 to finish tied at 22-under 266.

The playoff unfolded on the par-4 18th hole at Whirlwind Golf Club’s Cattail Course in Chandler, Arizona. Kim’s precise approach left her with a six-foot birdie putt, which she confidently sank after Vu missed her attempt from 15 feet.

This victory marks Kim’s first since October 2023 and adds $337,500 to her career earnings, pushing her past the $10 million milestone. Her triumph also elevates her into the top 10 of the Rolex Rankings.

Reflecting on her win, Kim expressed, “The feeling was great today and I just thought one hole at a time, one birdie at a time.”

This victory underscores Kim’s resilience and solidifies her status as a formidable competitor on the LPGA Tour.

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https://www.lpga.com/news/2025/rio-takeda-of-japan-shoots-a-blistering-8-under-64-in-china-to-win-her-second-lpga-title

[Recap was generated by ChatGPT]

In a performance that could only be described as “Rio-de-Janeiro-hot,” Japan’s Rio Takeda torched the course at the Blue Bay LPGA, leaving her competitors searching for the nearest ice bath. Her final-round 8-under 64 wasn’t just a statement; it was a full-blown manifesto on how to dominate a golf tournament.

Takeda’s clubs were on such fire that local firefighters were reportedly on standby, just in case her putter spontaneously combusted. Spectators whispered that the golf balls were considering unionizing against such treatment.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Minjee Lee, who finished six shots behind, was seen double-checking the leaderboard, perhaps wondering if Takeda had secretly played an extra round. And Ayaka Furue, finishing third, was overheard asking if Takeda had found a cheat code.

Jeeno Thitikul, the world No. 2, might have felt like she was in a different tournament altogether, finishing 13 strokes behind. Rumor has it she briefly considered taking up mini-golf instead.

As Takeda hoisted her second LPGA trophy, one couldn’t help but wonder: is she golfing, or just giving the rest of the field a free lesson? Either way, the Blue Bay LPGA will be remembered as the tournament where Rio Takeda turned the heat up to “unbearable.”

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