SYLVANIA, Ohio — Gaby LopezAfter being four shots behind on Sunday, he rallied and finished with three straight birdies to record an 8-under-63 score and win the Dana Open by one shot.
Lopez completed her big run by finishing her big run on Highland Meadows par-5 18th. It was a 12-foot birdie putt that Lopez made. This set off a series flinch pumps as Lopez knew it would keep her one shot ahead. Megan Khang.
The 28-year-old Mexican had to see if anyone could capture her.
Lopez won her third career LPGA Tour win, her first since the Tournament of Champions, which began the 2020 season.
Lopez stated that she knew it was necessary because Megan was going for hers. I practice precisely for this moment. They did the job.
Khang, who shot 29th on a wet-softened course, finished with a 64.
Lucy Li, a 19 year-old Californian, had a one-shot lead going into the final round. She struggled to make any birdies. Her hopes of making birdies ended when she hit into a fairway bunker at the 16th hole. She was just short of green and missed a 5-foot par.
Li tied for fourth after she birdied the 18th hole with a 70. Already, she has her Epson Tour LPGA Tour card. Li finished ninth in Canada last week and was awarded her LPGA Tour card through the Epson Tour. She is now eligible to play in the LPGA event in Cincinnati.
Yesterday, I was a little nervous for the first few holes. Li said that today, she didnt feel nervous at all. There are many lessons to learn, but today I hit it well and couldnt get many putts down honestly.
The final round felt almost like a battle of prodigies. Lexi ThompsonShe was 12 years old when she qualified for the U.S. Womens Open. Li broke her record by qualifying at 11.
They were also in the final group. Caroline MassonGermany. None of these factors were really a factor in the end.
Thompson has been without a win for more than three consecutive years and didnt make a birdie on the final hole. She tied for 16th place with a score of 73 and was seven shots behind.
Li had one birdie as Lopez and Khang overtook Highland Meadow.
Masson was one stroke behind Li at the beginning, but was quickly forgotten when she opened with double bogeys and then followed that up with a bogey for four more. Masson was the last person with a chance. She would have needed an eagle to finish the two closing par 5.
She birdied both of them for a 68 to place her third.
Lopez found it easy to forget about every shot and every result. It helped her relax on a wild day with 10 players ahead of herself.
Lopez said, This sounds crazy, but today felt more Friday round-like. Having that quiet is whats being worked on, it has paid off.
She was two shots behind the leader, missed 6-foot birdie chance on the ninth and 11th, but she didnt lose sight of what was important.
Lopez stated, Doubts will come into your mind. My caddie said, But we just keep doing what are doing. Its definitely working and were going all in on it until the end. Well see what happens.
Keep it in the present and magic will happen.