Linn Grant (-19) did not hesitate this Sunday. The Swede sealed her victory in Belleair with the same determination she displayed all week. She closed The Annika driven by Gainbridge with astonishing authority. Starting with just a one-shot lead, she carded five under par in the decisive round, winning by three strokes and demonstrating a sufficiency that required no embellishments.
The 26-year-old Swede strung together 52 flawless holes from the first hole on Friday, a streak that better explains than any analysis how she managed the situation. She left no room for doubt. She moved decisively through Pelican, attacking when necessary. Even the final bogey came without the slightest consequence, with the job already done and her second LPGA victory in the bag. Yes, although it may seem strange, it is only her second win on the tour.
With this victory, Grant became the 29th different player to win on the LPGA this year, a historic and unprecedented statistic in the tour’s history. Jennifer Kupcho (-16) finished second, and Mexican Gaby López (-15) completed the podium.
The day also brought good news for Julia López, who delivered a final -3 to place among the top thirty in Belleair. It wasn’t enough to enter the top 60 who will play the CME Group Tour Championship, but the result doesn’t change a comma of her year’s balance: she has had a great debut season, with powerful moments like playing in the featured group at the US Women’s Open. Today, she once again showed her potential, and it seems only a matter of time before she claims her first victory in the North American elite.
Carlota Ciganda will indeed be in the year’s final, although her performance at the ANNIKA went from more to less. She closed with a 73, placing her in the final 38th position, an uncomfortable round that found no continuity either on the tee or the green. Nevertheless, her qualification was never in danger, and she will travel to Naples with room to regroup and compete fully.
The tournament also featured many battles to get into the top sixty who will play next week’s final, as well as the fight to be among the top hundred of the year to save their card. Among the most notable movements, Brooke Matthews started in 62nd place and sealed her first CME qualification with a hole-in-one and an eagle in a final round of 65 strokes. She finished tied for eighth, climbing to 59th on the points list. Guseva began the week in 64th on the CME points list and rose to 57th. Li climbed 13 positions to 58th. Pajaree Anannarukarn finished right on the edge, in 60th place. Among the players who fell outside the top 60 were Jenny Shin (61st), Wei-Ling Hsu (62nd), and Cassie Porter (64th).
In the battle for the cards, Alexa Pano started the week at number 100 in the CME ranking and secured a decisive par on the 18th to finish at 97th. Aline Krauter missed the cut but remained at number 100 to keep her card. Thai Pornanong Phatlum dropped three positions after missing the cut and finished in 101st place, the first to miss out. Remember, Aza couldn’t make the cut and
Final results of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge
