Jennifer Kupcho emerged from a three-way playoff at the Meijer LPGA Classic as the winner and now heads into the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship with all the momentum as she looks to win her second major of the year.
Kupcho missed a short eagle putt on the first playoff hole for the win, but after Leona Maguire unfortunately missed a short birdie of her own on the second extra hole to extend the playoff, it was over.
What a clutch playoff win in Michigan!
— KPMG Women's PGA Championship (@KPMGWomensPGA) June 19, 2022
Congratulations @JenniferKupcho, we'll see you tomorrow at Congressional. #KPMGWomensPGA pic.twitter.com/dAiHzV8nYE
Kupcho won the Chevron Championship earlier this year by two shots over Jessica Korda earlier in the year for her maiden LPGA Tour title. Her second LPGA Tour trophy came over Maguire and Nelly Korda, who will look to defend her title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship next week.
“It’s really special,” said Kupcho. “I’ve been really close, but, I mean, this leaderboard was stacked. I think that’s what I’m most proud of – the players that were up there with me.
“It was a very close battle to the end and I’m proud of it.”
Maguire shot a sizzling 7-under 65 on Sunday to rip up the leaderboard nearly 20 spots. She, like Kupcho, was looking for her second LPGA Tour title this season but ended up just short.
Nelly Korda, who shot an even-par 72 on Sunday, won the Meijer LPGA Classic last year by two shots, ironically, over Maguire.
The trio finished at 18 under for the week.
Nelly Korda teed it up at just her second event since recovering from surgery due to a blood clot in her arm earlier this year. She returned to action at the U.S. Women’s Open and finished tied for 8th. This week’s result was further proof that Korda is well on her way to recovery.
“If you told me I think three, four months ago when I was in the ER that I would be here I would be extremely happy,” said Korda.
This is going to be fun to watch with @BrookeHenderson & @NellyKorda at the top of the leaderboard in Michigan — Let's go Champs! #KPMGWomensPGA pic.twitter.com/FmTEMpV8YA
— KPMG Women's PGA Championship (@KPMGWomensPGA) June 19, 2022
There were plenty of notables in the mix on Sunday and rounding into fine form with the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on deck.
Lydia Ko finished fourth, one shot out of the playoff. Lexi Thompson was in the group tied for fifth, while Brooke Henderson finished tied for ninth.
“It’s not the outcome that I wanted, but I felt strong the whole week and played great golf. Nothing but positives to take into a major next week,” said Thompson.
Henderson was looking to win for the second consecutive week on the LPGA Tour. Although she fell just short, the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Champion will head to Congressional Country Club with lots of good vibes.
“I don’t think you could ask for a better start leading into a major, so that’s really good,” said Henderson. “Hopefully I can just rest up the next couple days and be ready to go on Thursday.”
Jin Young Ko, in 2019, was the last golfer on the LPGA Tour to win two majors in a season.
Kupcho’s best result at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is a tie for 7th, which came in 2020.
