LPGA Tour: Celine Boutier wins ShopRite LPGA ahead of US Women’s Open as Ireland’s Lauren Walsh finishes third | Golf News
France’s Celine Boutier came from four shots behind on Sunday, making three birdies around the turn en route to a 5-under 66 to take a one-shot victory over Arpichaya Yubol at the ShopRite LPGA as Ireland’s Lauren Walsh finished third.
Soo Bin Joo, the 22-year-old South Korean going for his first LPGA Tour title, lost his four-shot lead on the turn and went all the way back on the 13th hole, the same hole where Boutier had previously taken the lead with a 30-foot birdie putt.
Joo missed another fairway to the right and lied, tossed back to the fairway, sent his putter over the green with the front pin, missed eight feet from the hole and missed the putt, taking a double bogey to fall behind three shots.
Boutier consistently hit hard shots, rarely getting into trouble. He missed a four-foot birdie putt on the final hole to post a nine-under par in the 54-hole event.
“To have the chance to win today is something very special,” said Boutier, the 32-year-old French player who won the same event five years ago.
“I think it’s a very good tournament, very special for me, so I’m very happy to win here again.”
Yubol, who was penalized one shot in Saturday’s second round for exceeding his time limit, birdied the final two holes for a 66. It was her runner-up finish this year, finishing four shots behind Nelly Korda in Mexico.
Walsh, 25, finished third after a final round of 67, followed by Joo in a four-way tie for fourth. Ireland has two players in the top 10 with Leona Maguire finishing tied for ninth on four under.
Boutier finished the front nine with two straight birdies to get to seven under, and that gave him a share of the lead when Joo bogeyed the par-four eighth. Boutier then hit his way to four feet for birdie on the 10th. Joo caught him with the bird on the ninth day but he couldn’t go all the way.
Boutier has seven LPGA titles and 12 worldwide. He has struggled so far this year, scoring a career-high nine points in 10 contests.
“I feel like my game has changed in the last few weeks. I’ve seen it come together, and I didn’t expect it to come together this week and today,” he said. “But I’m very happy to be back in the winner’s circle.”
Watch the US Women’s Open from June 4-7, at the Riviera Country Club in California, live on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream without a contract.
