Tour round-up: Danielle Kang wins first LPGA event of the 2022 season

After losing out in a play-off last year to Jessica Korda, Danielle Kang took control of the final round at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club to finish sixteen-under-par and three shots clear of Brooke Henderson. Kang led the field led the field in both greens in regulation (82%) and putts per green in regulation (1.68). This was her first victory since August 2020.

Talking about her victory compared to last year, she said:

“It was a bit different. I think I was more aware of where I was. Things that I wanted to work on, that's the things that I wanted to execute,” said Kang, who started the day tied for second, one stroke off the lead. “It was a bit of a different goal, and end result, I always want to win, but it was kind of more than that for me this year. I'm actually proud of myself for the work that I've done to feel the way I have today.”

Playing in the penultimate group, Kang held a four-stroke lead through 15 holes, yet it all threatened to come unravelled when her tee shot at No. 16 went far left and nearly out of bounds. With limited backswing motion, she was forced to pitch out 100 yards past the hole but saved disaster by converting a two-putt bogey and only dropping one shot.

Gaby Lopez, who was tied for second with Kang through three rounds, shot an even-par 72 on Sunday to finish in solo third at -12. World No. 1 Nelly Korda broke her streak of 11 consecutive rounds in the 60s, struggling to a 3-over 75 and finishing in a tie for fourth with Celine Boutier.

Sorenstam loses in a play-off

In the celebrity competition, 2004 World Series champion Derek Lowe knocked in a 15-footer for par to win a play-off over 72-time LPGA Tour winner and Lake Nona resident Annika Sorenstam. The pair had been tied at +138 through 72 holes, nine strokes clear of Mark Mulder at +129. The celebrity competition was played using a modified Stableford scoring system.

“I never checked the scoreboard until the 18th hole and I asked my wife, Where do I stand, and she says Annika has to par or we'll go to a play-off. I went and watched. What an amazing up and down on 18 she did,” said Lowe. “But it is honestly like one of the biggest events I've ever been part of or won. To play against Annika Sorenstam, how many people can say that, in a play-off, and to prevail? It was a great day.”

See the full leaderboard here.

The LPGA now stays in Florida for the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio which was won last year by Nelly Korda.

Thomas Pieters victorious in Abu Dhabi

After Covid hit events in South Africa, the DP World Tour got back onto it’s 2022 schedule with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links.

Starting the day one shot off the lead, Thomas Pieters managed to keep his composure to secure his sixth victory on the DP World Tour and become the first Belgian to win a Rolex Series event. Pieters carded a level-par 72 to triumph on 10-under-par and finish one shot ahead of Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello and India's Sharma Shubhankar.

The tour now moves to Dubai and the Slynco.io Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club.

Swafford heading to The Masters

Hudson Swafford won The American Express for the second time after coming from three shots back on the final day to secure his third PGA Tour victory. He finished on 23-under-par and two shots clear of fellow American Tom Hoge. The 34-year-old had previously won the event in 2017.

Commenting on his victory he said:

"This was definitely a special one. A third win, and about a month ago my father passed away and his birthday was this week, so I know he was following and watching and to get it done, it was awesome."

The victory means that Swafford has risen up the world rankings to 61^st, which earns him an invite to The Masters in April.

The PGA Tour stays in California for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.

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