Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational: Americans Cheyenne Knight and Elizabeth Szokol Claim Victory in Michigan

2023-07-23 05:15:00

Americans Cheyenne Knight (pictured) and Elizabeth Szokol won the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational on Saturday in Michigan, 23 under par, after an interruption caused by dangerous weather. Céline Boutier and the Japanese Yuka Saso finished with a round in 62, in the best ball formula, but had to settle for 3rd place, three strokes behind the victorious pair (-20).

You wanna know what’s better than winning?

Winning with one of your best friends ???????? pic.twitter.com/Ie8C9JmixH

— LPGA (@LPGA) July 23, 2023

A year after finishing fourth in the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitationalthe Americans Cheyenne Knight et Elizabeth Sokol won on Saturday in the Michigan the only team tournament in the LPGA Tour. They did so despite the weather delaying their last lap by two hours and despite pressure from many rivals who scored very well on Saturday, taking advantage of the ‘best ball’ formula.

One last putt Matilda Castrennarrowly missed on the 18th, at nightfall, sealed the victory of the “Elizabeth Knights” over the Finn, associated with the Malaysian Kelly Tanand deprived the public of a suspenseful playoff.

We looked elsewhere as there was nothing we could do about it, it was a bit stressful

Elizabeth Sokol

« We looked elsewhere as there was nothing we could do about it, it was a bit stressful », Elizabeth Szokol of Raconte. « She hit a very good putt that slipped past the hole. We expected Matilda to make that putt, and when it slid over the edge, we thought we had it, despite the delay due to the rain. It was pure joy ».

Second victory for Knight on the LPGA Tour

Knight, who played 65 on Saturday, wins for the second time on the LPGA Tour, after theAscendant in 2019, while Szokol won for the first time on the American circuit. Castren and Tan had already finished 2nd in this tournament in 2022.

An excellent position right off the 13th tee box from @CastrenMatilda ???????????? pic.twitter.com/scsvuo9Fx1

— LPGA (@LPGA) July 22, 2023

Boutier and Saso finish strong

Three teams tied for third place, including the pair of Celine Boutier and the Japanese Yuka Saso who turned in a nice 62 card to finish. Or their best score of the week, all formulas combined (foursome Wednesday and Friday, 4 balls Thursday, best ball Saturday). The two players had just finished the 14 when the organizers asked the players to return to the locker room to take shelter, shortly after 4:30 p.m. local time.

.@SasoYuka_315‘s putter is hot Hot HOT ????

She gets their team to 19-under, tied at second! pic.twitter.com/iOWOJBSIFQ

— LPGA (@LPGA) July 22, 2023

The very full podium was completed by two young rookies from the LPGA Tour, the Norwegian Celine Borge and the German Polly Mack, from the Epson Tour, who had never entered the top 10 at this level. And by the Anglo-American pair formed by Jodi Ewart Shadoff et Emma Talley, who finished in 63, like Borge and Mack, and were therefore joined in extremis by Boutier and Saso. Despite a superb eagle from Talley on 16, celebrated by dancing by the American.

Hot John’s Girl with the CELEBRATION SHOT ????@talley_emma holes out and dances it out on hole 16! ???? pic.twitter.com/TgR70JY4gW

— LPGA (@LPGA) July 22, 2023

PRB and Lindberg in the top 30

left early, Pauline Roussin-Bouchard and the Swedish Pernilla Lindberg had only one hole left to play, the 18th, when play was suspended due to weather conditions described as dangerous by the organizers. They had fallen in a few hours from 13th to 28th provisional rank, at -8. They finally took 26th place, thanks to a last lap of 68.

Next big meeting for the best players in the world: Evian this week, the fourth Major of the season…