Yorkshirewoman Jodi Ewart Shadoff became an LPGA Tour winner for the first time with a closing one under-par round of 71 completing a one-shot victory at the LPGA Mediheal Championship.
Jodi went wire-to-wire in her 246th start at The Saticoy Club, with the final round proving a roller coaster as the 34-year-old’s four-shot lead eroded by the time she made the turn.
Paula Reto of South Africa had four birdies and took the lead when Jodi made bogey on the par three ninth hole. Jodi regained a share of the lead with a birdie at the 12th, matched birdies with Paula on the par five 14th, and then held steady as the South African fell back.
Paula dropped shots on the next two holes as Jodi held it together on the closing holes, finishing one shot ahead of former US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso.
Having tapped in for par on the 18th, Jodi said: “That last one-footer felt like 20ft to me. It’s a little bit surreal. I didn’t know if this moment would ever come. I’m just really grateful for everybody who’s on my team. Last year was really hard. I’m standing here because of them. I’m just really grateful.
“I learned that I could fight through adversity. I can play under the nerves, which has been kind of a problem for me in the past – just trying to settle the nerves down and play through it. I think I proved to myself that I can do it. I proved I can win. It’s been a long time, I didn’t think I would ever be sat here honestly. I’m just really grateful.”
