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France’s Celine Boutier rallied from a four-shot deficit on Sunday, with Ireland’s Lauren Walsh making three birdies on her way to a five-under 66 to take a one-shot victory over Rpichaia Yuboll at the Shoprite LPGA in third place.
Soo Bin Joo, the 22-year-old South Korean going for her first LPGA Tour title, lost her four-shot lead at the turn and then fell behind for good at the 13th hole, the same hole where Boutier had earlier led with a 30-foot birdie putt.
Xu missed another fairway to the right on a sloppy lie, returned to the fairway, sent his wedge over the green with the front pin, chipped eight feet through the hole and missed the putt, falling three shots behind with a double bogey.
Boutier continued to hit hard shots, rarely getting into trouble. He missed a four-foot birdie putt on the final hole to post a nine-under overall score in the 54-hole event.
“To be able to win today is definitely something special,” said Boutier, the 32-year-old Frenchman who won the same event five years ago.
“I think it’s a great tournament, very special for me, so really excited to get another win here.”
Yubol, who was penalized a shot in the second round on Saturday for exceeding his best time, birdied the final two holes for a 66. It was her second runner-up of the year, finishing four shots ahead of Nelly Korda of Mexico.
Walsh, 25, finished third after a final-round 67, behind Xu among four players who finished fourth. Ireland had two players in the top 10 with Leona Maguire tied for ninth at four under.
Boutier finished the front nine with two straight birdies to reach seven under, and Xu bogeyed the par-four eighth to give him a share of the lead. Boutier then hit his approach to four feet for birdie on the 10th. Xu caught him with a birdie on the ninth but couldn’t hold on the rest of the way.
Celine Boutier holds up the trophy after the win
Boutier now has seven career LPGA titles and 12 worldwide. He has struggled so far this year, including a tie for ninth in 10 tournaments.
“I think my game has turned around the last few weeks. I can see it coming together, and I definitely didn’t expect it to come together this week and today,” he said. “But I’m very excited to be back in the winner’s circle.”
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