Tag: Gainbridge lpga

Madelene Sagstrom snags first LPGA title in dramatic fashion with boyfriend’s dad on the bag

Madelene Sagstrom won her first LPGA title Sunday at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio by one shot.

BOCA RATON, Fla. –  Last week Madelene Sagstrom was out spectating at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions at her home course. She fielded more than a few questions from members who wanted to know why she wasn’t in the field. The answer, of course, was frustratingly obvious: She hadn’t won yet.

One week later, Sagstrom is an early favorite for next year’s TOC.

“I’m still mind blown,” she said, moments after stepping onto the dais at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.

GAINBRIDGE LPGA: Scores | Photos

Sagstrom, 27, drained an 8-foot putt for par on the 72nd hole and avoided a playoff when Nasa Hataoka three-putted for bogey to finish second for a second consecutive week.

The statuesque Swede earned $300,000 for her victory and crossed the $1 million mark in official career earnings with $1,132,568. The Gainbridge marked her 69th start on the LPGA. A three-time winner on the Symetra Tour in 2016, she holds the developmental tour’s record for single-season earnings.

Madelene Sagstrom after winning the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in Boca Raton, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Sagstrom began the week with a career-low 62 and entered the final round with a two-stroke lead over Hataoka, who is ranked fifth in the world. The 2017 Solheim Cup player said she was physically shaky from the start but proved her mettle time and again with clutch shots.

“I had already won in my head today,” she said. “I had beaten my own demons.”

She got help from an unlikely source, too.

A couple of weeks ago, Sagstrom called her boyfriend’s father and asked if he could fill in as her caddie while he was visiting on vacation in Florida. Sagstrom’s regular caddie, David Buhai, husband of LPGA player Ashleigh Buhai, was unavailable for the week.

“He’s like, sure. Maybe,” said Sagstrom. “I don’t know. I don’t know.”

Alan Clarke, who retired from a career in data communications, certainly rose to the occasion. Sagstrom said she was proud of him for fighting through the fatigue the first couple of days. The near 68-year-old looked like he was still in shock when it was over. His son, Jack, was in tears.

“Who could imagine this?” asked Alan.

Madelene first met Jack Clarke at the UL International Crown two years ago and the pair have been dating for 18 months. Jack’s boss, Caroline Hedwall, missed the cut this week so he’s been agonizing outside the ropes for the past two days.

Alan’s main job for the week was to double-check Madelene’s math. Otherwise, she was on her own.

“He’s making her laugh,” said Jack of his father’s biggest assist, “keeping her free and easy.”

Madelene Sagstrom after winning the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in Boca Raton, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

After making the turn in 1 over, Sagstrom holed a bunker shot on the 10th hole and then followed it with birdie on the 11th. She was knotted with Hataoka at 16 under until the Japanese star birdied the par-5 16th to take a one-shot lead.

How did Sagstrom respond? She stuffed an 8-iron on the par-3 17th to 3 feet. It wasn’t exactly where she was aimed, but turned out to be the perfect miss. Sagstrom drained the putt to square with Hataoka once more as they headed up the final hole.

With Hataoka on the green in regulation and Sagstrom left in the rough, the events that followed came as a surprise to everyone. After Hataoka missed her par putt, Sagstrom turned around and looked at the leaderboard, unsure of what that meant.

She had yet to realize that Danielle Kang finished two shots back in solo third. When it finally sank in, the tears flowed as much as the champagne.

“This is what we all dream about,” said Sagstrom. “This is what I have dreamed about my entire career, since I started playing golf. So it really hit me hard.”

When it was over, Alan abruptly retired from caddying. He’d reached the pinnacle.

“You couldn’t write it,” said Jack, smiling.

A working vacation they’ll never forget.

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Carlota Ciganda surging at Gainbridge LPGA with new caddie by her side

An extended break and a new caddie looks like a solid combination so far for Carlota Ciganda, one shot off the lead the Gainbridge LPGA.

BOCA RATON, Fla. – When Carlota Ciganda went home to Spain for the offseason, she left her clubs back in Arizona. It’s the first time the 29-year-old has traveled so light, but the extended break left her feeling refreshed coming into her first tournament of the season.

Ciganda carded a second-round 66 to get to 9-under 135 and trail leader Madelene Sagstrom by one stroke at the new Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.

“I didn’t think I was going to be ready for this tournament,” said Ciganda, “but sometimes when you don’t have many expectations, you play your best.”

Ciganda, a two-time winner on the LPGA, said she kept in shape over the holidays by playing paddle tennis. She picked up her clubs again two weeks ago.

Her 2019 season included eight top-10 finishes and a $1 million bonus for winning the first Aon Risk Reward Challenge. She finished 15th on the money list with $998,654.

“I think when you are near the top so many times you get tired mentally,” she said. “I just needed that rest to feel fresh again.”

Gainbridge LPGA: Leaderboard | Photos

The 2020 season already looks different for Ciganda in that she has a new face on the bag in Jonny Scott, a veteran caddie who recently worked for Lydia Ko. Ciganda spent four years with Terry McNamara, Annika Sorenstam’s longtime caddie. Ciganda enjoyed her best years on tour with McNamara by her side.

“It’s been obviously really, really tough because I love Terry and we’ve been playing great together,” she said. “I don’t know how to explain it, just something that I felt. It was tough to say that to someone that you love, someone that it so close to you.”

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Madelene Sagstrom’s 62 vaults her to the top at Gainbridge LPGA

Through two rounds, Madelene Sagstrom holds a one-shot lead at the Gainbridge LPGA.

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Madelene Sagstrom was in the “flow” on Friday at Boca Rio Golf Club, where soggy, calm conditions opened the door to attack.

Sagstrom shot 29 on the front nine and was 10 under through 16 holes when the weight on her putter fell off. The Swede called over a rules official to make sure everything was fine but arrived on the penultimate hole a bit out of sorts.

“I came up on 17 I was like OK, wrong club,” said Sagstrom. “What’s going on now? Uh, uh, just kind of half-thinned it on the greens. I got a little rattled about it, but I figured it out eventually.”

After tough lip-out for bogey on the par-3 17th, Sagstrom got it back on the final hole with her 11th birdie of the day. The 10-under 62 shattered Sagstrom’s previous low by four strokes and gave her the clubhouse lead at 10-under 134 at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.

Nasa Hataoka, who lost in a seven-hole playoff to Gaby Lopez at least week’s season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, sits in second at 8 under along with Jennifer Song. Both carded 64s.

Jaye Marie Green grew up down the road in Boca Raton and is staying at her parents’ house this week. A bogy-free 66 moved her up the leaderboard and into a tie for eighth. Like Sagstrom, Green is looking for her first LPGA title.

“I hit the ball the exact same way today,” said Green, “I just made putts today, putts went in. Yesterday I was having trouble reading the greens, but today I just kind of pictured it well.”

Familiar faces and home-cooked meals make it a comfortable week for Green, who bought a home in nearby Jupiter. Some of her friends in the gallery go back to the beginning.

“I mean, we go back from diapers out here,” said Green. “The course I grew up with is two miles down the street. And a lot of members from that club have helped me along the way, and they’re out here. It’s unbelievable. I really want to get myself close, in a position to make it more fun for them. And I know whether I close or not, they’re going to love me. And I am glad to be in this position.”

Sagstrom, an LSU grad, was mentored by Robert Karlsson as a young pro. She drew inspiration from Karlsson’s strong performance in Dubai this morning, where he trails Eddie Pepperell by one stroke.

A three-time winner on the Symetra Tour, Sagstrom represented Europe in the 2017 Solheim Cup but didn’t make the team in 2019.

“I think a Solheim Cup can either make you or break you kind of deal,” said Sagstrom. “For me, it was both. I was really proud and honored to be there, but I was hoping for more from myself.”

She’s motivated to get back there.

While her regular caddie is back in South Africa helping family move, Sagstrom enlisted the help of her boyfriend’s father, Alan Clarke, for the week. Clarke’s son, Jack, caddies for Caroline Hedwall. Sagstrom read all her own putts but used Alan’s help with math.

“They’re here on vacation,” said Sagstrom of the Clarkes, “so I thought, I’m going to make him really tired.”

Actually, she’s feeding off of Alan’s enjoyment inside the ropes. It doesn’t get much better than 62.

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WATCH: Two minutes with LPGA golfer Jillian Hollis

Beth Ann Nichols asks LPGA golfer Jillian Hollis a few questions about the new golf bag she’s using and starting on the LPGA Tour.

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LPGA rookie Jillian Hollis chats with Beth Ann Nichols about her cool nickname and the new golf bag she’s has, which is just like the one Tiger Woods uses.

Hollis is the first LPGA player to be sponsored by Monster, an energy drink company, it was reported Friday. The 22-year-old joins Tiger Woods as company sponsors.

Among the questions Hollis was asked was if she thinks she’s beginning her LPGA career at a good time. Hollis said after an advantageous year on the Symetra Tour, she absolutely thinks she picked the right time to turn pro.

“I knew I could play our here last year, but mentally it was really good for me to have that growing experience, a full year on the Symetra Tour… I’ve been preparing for this week and preparing for (the Gainbridge LPGA) all last year and even the year before and playing in college. I’m so exited to test my game at all these beautiful courses around the world.”

Watch the video at the top of this page.

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WATCH: Two minutes with Morgan Pressel

While chatting with LPGA player Morgan Pressel, Beth Ann Nichols asked how Pressel will be able to play with her sister Madison Pressel.

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Beth Ann Nichols spoke with Morgan Pressel during the inaugural Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio and the two discussed the second event of the LPGA season and a family tie to the event.

Morgan’s sister, Madison Pressel, is also playing in the Gainbridge LPGA so Nichols asked about similarities between the two sisters’ games.

“I think that we have similar games in the sense that we hit balls the same distance, you know, similarities there,” Morgan said. “I say that she’s probably a better iron player and I’d say you know maybe my putting is a little bit stronger but we work together. She’ll shoot me a note when she’s on tour like, ‘I’m really struggling with this,’ or ‘This is a problem,’ and I’ll be like, ‘Send me video, send me this, how are you feeling?’”

For more on Morgan’s favorite hole at Boca Rio Golf Club and if she imagines herself holding the inaugural event’s trophy, watch the video above.

LPGA rookie becomes first to land Monster as a bag sponsor, joining Tiger

LPGA rookie Jillian Hollis joins Tiger Woods as Monster sponsors. Hollis is playing in the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio this week.

BOCA RATON, Fla. – It’s not often that someone on the LPGA has something identical to Tiger Woods. But that’s the case with rookie Jillian Hollis, who is making her debut this week at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio with a Monster staff bag.

Hollis is the first LPGA player to be sponsored by Monster, an energy drink company. Maria Fassi had similar news this week. The Mexican player is the first to be sponsored by AT&T, joining Jordan Spieth in the look-alike bag category.

“I’m just really excited to get the rest of the year going and be in good company with my bag,” said Hollis after an opening 2-under 70. “I’m a huge Tiger fan. I love Tiger.”

The 2019 Symetra Tour grad also counts Nike as a sponsor.

Hollis joins an extensive list of female athletes on Monster’s roster, including surfers, skiers, snowboarders, skateboarders and motocross.

“Monster Energy is thrilled to be on Jillian’s team as she makes her debut as a rookie on the LPGA,” said Mitch Covington, VP of Sports Marketing. “She has a winning smile and attitude and we know she will represent us well on and off the golf course.”

Hollis, 22, left the University of Georgia after three seasons and won twice last year on the Symetra Tour to finish fifth on the money list. She’s one of nine rookies in the field. Two of those rookies, Yui Kawamoto and Patty Tavatanakit, hold a share of second at 4 under. Other 2020 rookies include Jennifer Chang, Esther Lee, Leona Maguire, Yealimi Noh and Albane Valenzuela.

Prior to this week, Hollis had made four starts on the LPGA, making the cut one time at the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open, her professional debut.

“I got a putting lesson Tuesday and that really has helped my putting,” said Hollis, who works with Gareth Raflewski. She had 27 putts on Thursday and birdied her first hole as an LPGA member.

“Little girls that I see, I want to be a role model for them,” said Hollis. “And I want them to say ‘Oh I want to beat her one day. Or ‘I want to play with her.’ Because that was me when I was little.”

Rookies rule in soggy first round at Gainbridge LPGA

The rookies have arrived on the LPGA, and they’re not scared. At least they don’t play like it anyway.

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BOCA RATON, Fla. – The rookies have arrived on the LPGA, and they’re not scared. At least they don’t play like it anyway.

At Day 1 of the inaugural Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, a pair of rookies hold the clubhouse lead. Play was suspended at 4:50 p.m. ET due to heavy rain. Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and Japan’s Yui Kawamoto both carded 4-under 68s in their rookie debuts. Georgia grad Jillian Hollis added a 70.

Sei Young Kim, who has 10 LPGA titles to her credit, also carded a 68. Jessica Korda is 5 under on the day and was on her last hole, No. 9, when play stopped.

Tavatanakit, 20, dominated the Symetra Tour after turning pro following the spring season at UCLA. She also carded an 11-under 61 last summer at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic, where she tied for 15th. Her winning on the LPGA is a matter of when, not if. The three-month break actually proved kind of stressful for Tavatanakit, who filled up her time reading mental books.

Gainbridge LPGA: Leaderboard | Photos

“Like everyone takes it pretty seriously out here,” she said. “I was kind of intimidated by the idea of the LPGA tour and just being out here, kind of scares me. It’s a big thing. This is my job, and like I have to do this for a living and what if I don’t like it? It’s just a lot of doubts and thoughts in my head. After I just kind of cut that out and focused on what I have to do, and it’s been working pretty well.”

Kawamoto briefly went to the same high school as Nasa Hataoka back home in Japan. Both are 21 years old. Kawamoto tied for ninth at LPGA Q-Series to earn her card and has been as high as No. 50 in the Rolex Rankings. She has two career JLPGA titles and recorded 10 additional top 10s last season.
“I have huge respect for (Nasa) and very happy to be able to compete with her,” said Kawamoto through an interpreter, “but I feel like I still have a gap between her.”

Kawamoto’s first name means “tie” in Japan, and she’s been wearing ribbons in her hair since middle school. The combination helped land her a sponsor, Kosé, for her hair ribbon. Kosé is a beauty product brand in Japan.

The 2020 Olympics in Japan is the ultimate goal for Kawamoto. She’s currently No. 60 in the world. The top 15 players automatically qualify, with a maximum of four players from one country. Hataoka, No. 5, leads the way for Japan. Hinako Shibuno, the 2019 AIG Women’s British Open champion, ranks 11th.

“Obviously that’s a big goal for me,” said Kawamoto, “but it’s going to be a very tough competition.”

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Two minutes with Morgan Pressel

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols got two minutes with LPGA player Morgan Pressel. Pressel answered questions about the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio and how she will be able to play with her sister Madison Pressel.

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols got two minutes with LPGA player Morgan Pressel. Pressel answered questions about the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio and how she will be able to play with her sister Madison Pressel.