Marina Alex won the Palos Verdes Championship by one stroke over world number one Ko Jin-young on Sunday, claiming her long-awaited second LPGA tour championship. She made six birdies in a five-under-par 66.
The 31-year-old American, who won her only other tour win at the 2018 Portland Classic, overcame an early bogey to finish at 10-under par.
She defeated overnight leader Hannah Green and Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who started the day one shot down, erasing a three-shot deficit en route to triumph, and said she wasn’t sure she’d be back in the winner’s circle.
“It’s amazing that the hard work has paid off,” Alex said. “I wasn’t sure if this would ever happen again, if I’m being perfectly honest.
“There’s so many amazing young players out there.”
Alex noted the struggles that the Covid pandemic imposed on everyone. Her return was hindered by an injury that sidelined her for seven months.
“It’s just been a really tough rebuild back,” she said.
Despite this, she was able to remain patient on the difficult Palos Verdes course south of Los Angeles and seize openings as they presented themselves.
After a bogey on the third, she birdied the fifth, seventh, and eighth holes to finish two under par. She tied for the lead after sinking long birdie putts on the 11th and 12th holes.
Her long eagle effort at the par-five 16th didn’t fall, but she made the two-footer on the way back, taking her into sole possession of the lead at 10-under.
As Australia’s Green made her fourth bogey of the day at the 17th hole on her way to a one-over 72 and a share of fifth place on 277, pars at the last two holes were enough to keep the lead.
Lydia Ko, who underwent stretching treatment on the course for back discomfort, finished with her second consecutive 70 to tie for third place on 276 with American Megan Khang (68).
Ko Jin-young, who was looking to bounce back from a dismal finish at the LA Open last week, started the day four strokes down and stormed the leadership with a five-under-par 66 that included an eagle, four birdies, and only one bogey.
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