Jutanugarn played in her first LPGA event when she was just 11 – she was the youngest ever qualifier at the Thailand LPGA Classic – but last season’s rookie season was ruined by a shoulder injury caused by pranking around with a water bottle in a play fight with her older sister.
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Jutanugarn seemed set to bag the first major win of her career in April when she led late on at the ANA Inspiration but three closing bogeys ruined her chances in California.
The victor finished at 16-under 272 on the Marquess Course, the hilly, forest layout that is a big change from the usual seaside layouts in the tournament rotation.
Stacy Lewis continued her recent resurgence when she finished alone in 4th position, two shots behind the pair tied for second while three-time victor Karrie Webb reversed season to date when she finished in a share of 5th place, with Ha Na Jang and Catriona Matthew.
Jutanugarn birdied six of the first 14 holes and closed with four pars to reach 16-under 200 and break the tournament 54-hole scoring record.
Mirim Lee from South Korea carded 69 to take sole second, while former champion Mo Martin from the United States also returned a 69 to take third on her own at 11 under.
A careless double-bogey at the 13 momentarily brought back memories of Jutanugarn’s disastrous back nine at the year’s first major, the ANA, where she made two bogies in the final three holes to lose to Lydia Ko.
“For me it was hard today”, Jutanugarn said.
‘I know how to come back.
Jutanugarn is projected to jump from sixth to third in the world ranking Monday.
Jutanugarn, who reeled off three LPGA Tour wins in a row earlier in the year, fired six birdies to finish on 16 under.
Stacy Lewis was 9 under after a 70. Both have four wins, including a major, and the Evian Championship next month, the final major, might go a long way in determining the victor.
“Now I have two weeks to rest and practice”, she said.
Asked what was said to her, the new champion said: “I don’t know”.
“I really want to try to feel relaxed and I feel like whatever is going to make me happy is to smile”, she explained. “I can’t wait. I’m really excited about that”.
Jaeger, 27, started the record spree Thursday with a 12-under 58 that broke the Web.com Tour mark and matched the lowest score on a substantial tour.
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Having accomplished her dream of winning a major title, Jutanugarn will head to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro full of confidence and with the belief that winning a gold medal will definitely be more of a reality than a dream.
