Kupcho sinks dramatic putt on final hole to win ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer
Jennifer Kupcho closed with an 8-foot birdie putt in light rain to hold off Ilhee Lee on Sunday in the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer, ending a drought of nearly three years without winning.
The Stats
Some interesting stats from the winner included:
- Won her fourth career victory and first of 2025
- Went bogey free with an eagle and six birdies
- Hit every fairway in final round
- Missed three greens in regulation, making up and down
- Was one of five players to hit every fairway on Sunday
- Became the 16th different player from the United States to win the ShopRite LPGA Classic and first since Lexi Thompson in 2019
- Birdied No. 18 to win her fourth career victory
- She is the second player to birdie the last hole to win by one stroke this season joining Angel Yin at the Honda LPGA Thailand
- Was one of 11 players to record all three rounds in the 60s - The first player to do so since Rio Takeda won the 2024 TOTO Japan Classic
- Had 19 birdies, the third-most among the field
- Had just four bogeys, tied for the fifth fewest among the field - Her four bogeys are the fewest she has ever recorded at this event
About the ShopRite LPGA Classic Winner
- Rolex Rankings No. 62
- Jennifer Kupcho made a stylish return to the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer, claiming her fourth career LPGA title in just her fourth appearance at the event—and her first since 2021.
- Her journey at this tournament shows how far she’s come:
- 2024 – Winner
- 2021 – Missed Cut
- 2020 – Runner-Up
- 2019 – Tied for 43rd
- 2025 Season Highlights:
- Made the cut in 8 of 11 starts so far this year
- First win since 2022, and first top-10 finish of the season
- Best finish before this win: Tied 11th at the Honda LPGA Thailand
- Now one of just 134 players in LPGA history with four or more wins
- Also joins a select group of 80 American players with four LPGA victories
- Career Snapshot:
- 4 career wins, 23 top-10 finishes, and over $5.7 million in career earnings
- Breakout year in 2022, where she captured three titles, including a major at The Chevron Championship
- Represented Team USA in three consecutive Solheim Cups (2021, 2023, 2024)
- Secured LPGA Tour status at the inaugural LPGA Q-Series in 2018, turning pro in May 2019
- Made history as the winner of the first-ever Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2019
- Collegiate Career:
- Kupcho shone brightly at Wake Forest University, where she laid the foundation for her successful professional journey.
Winner comments
“Yeah, I mean, it's been a long time. I felt like last year -- even though the year before I had won three times, I felt like last year was one of my best seasons, maybe my best season with how consistent I played; obviously just didn't get a win. But then, yeah, coming into this year off last year I just expected my game to stay the same. Struggled a lot at the beginning of the year. Struggled mentally. Completely lost my swing back in LA pretty much, so really just like trying to figure that out. Going into Chevron I didn't know where the ball was going. So to be able to say I've won now, like only really a few weeks later, is kind of insane.”
Round of the tournament
In her 200th career LPGA start, second start of the season and first since missing the cut at last week’s U.S. Women’s Open, 18-hole co-leader and 36-hole leader, Ilhee Lee, finished a stroke behind Kupcho at 14-under.
More impressive was her opening round of 63.
She was equally magnanimous in defeat:
“It was so fun to watch Jennifer playing,” Lee said. “I was right next to her, and I was cheering for her because it's just golf. I mean, we all try our best. So, I was actually cheering for her. It was awesome to watch her play.”
Missed the Highlights? Watch It Here
For all the drama of the event, watch the highlights here.
