Nanna Koerstz Madsen started the final round with an eagle and finished the day with an eagle, sinking a 10-foot putt on the second playoff hole against Xiyu “Janet” Lin to win her maiden LPGA championship. Koerstz Madsen became the first Danish player to win on the PGA Tour.
“It’s incredible.” “It’s a dream come true,” said Koerstz Madsen, who shot a new course record of 26-under 262 at the Honda LPGA Thailand with Lin.
Lin, who was also seeking her first LPGA victory, birdied her final two regulation holes as well as the two playoff holes. Lin finished with a 6-under 66 on Siam Country Club’s hot Old Course.
Lin expressed his pride by saying, “I’m quite proud.” “Every now and again, it’s simply odd.” You can’t win a tournament if you shoot 26 under par. But that’s the lowest score I’ve ever had in a tournament week, and it came after four days of excellent golf. As if I’m going to get a lot out of this.”
In regulation, Koerstz Madsen, whose fiancé Nicki Hansen caddies for her on tour, caught a flyer on the par-5 18th hole, which resulted in a bogey. She bounced back by shooting three under par on the two playoff holes. Koerstz Madsen is noted for keeping lemons in her golf bag, which she eats to keep herself calm and focused.
Last year, Koerstz Madsen was tied for the lead with Anna Nordqvist at the AIG Women’s British Open until a heartbreaking double-bogey on the demanding 18th hole, which included a terrible shank from a green-side bunker.
That feels like a long time ago now.
Koerstz Madsen, 27, is the sole first-time winner in 2022, joining Leona Maguire. Both were members of the European Solheim Cup winning team in Inverness in 2021. In 2017, Koerstz Madsen earned a “Battlefield Promotion” to the LPGA after winning three times on the Epson Tour.
“I mean, Janet, she fought hard,” Koerstz Madsen remarked. “She finished birdie-birdie, so she played fantastically as well.” Yes, I’ll admit it, I was a little nervous there.”
Celine Boutier finished third at 25 under, one shot shy of the playoffs. Amy Yang, who has won this event three times, was tied for fourth with Brooke Henderson at 23 under.
Yuka Saso, the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open champion, shot a career-low 10-under 62 in the final round, which included eight birdies and a 30-yard pitch-in for eagle on the par-4 15th. Saso’s round matched Jessica Korda’s 2018 tournament low.
