PUBLISHED : 5 Aug 2024 at 09:27
In an electrifying final round, Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn clinched victory at the Portland Classic in Oregon, showcasing her remarkable skill and determination.
Moriya delivered a stunning performance with a final-round score of 6-under-par 66 at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club. Her only bogey of the tournament came at the 72nd hole, concluding with a total of 22-under 266, finishing two strokes ahead of her closest competitors—Angel Yin, Nataliya Guseva, and Narin An.
Narin An made waves by acing the par-3 16th hole, briefly taking the lead at 21 under. However, her momentum faltered as she settled for a par and a bogey, ultimately placing Moriya in the spotlight.
“Every win is special, and it’s been a while since my last one,” Moriya noted. “Being in contention over the past few days feels amazing, as I’ve missed that experience.”
Starting the day three strokes behind, Moriya surged up the leaderboard with three consecutive birdies from Nos. 12 to 14. Her seventh birdie at the par-4 17th provided critical breathing room.
Though close to finishing the tournament without a bogey, her par putt at the 18th just slipped by the cup.
“It’s not like I was set on being bogey-free,” Moriya remarked. “But when you’re in the moment and everything aligns perfectly, it feels great.”
This victory marks Moriya’s third LPGA title and her first individual win since 2018, highlighting her resilience and talent on the tour.
Ariya Jutanugarn, Moriya’s sister and a 12-time tour winner, also showcased her talent with a closing 65, finishing tied for ninth at 17 under. She expressed immense pride in her sister’s achievement, noting, “It’s been a long wait for her, and she truly deserves this.”
Ariya highlighted travel struggles and the personal obstacles Moriya faced, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and hard work in achieving this breakthrough.
Narin An, aiming for her first LPGA title, shared her disbelief and excitement after her hole-in-one: “I couldn’t see it go in, but the crowd’s reaction was incredible.”
Sofia Garcia from Paraguay, So Mi Lee from South Korea, and Polly Mack from Germany tied for fifth place at 19 under, while second-round leader Dewi Weber from the Netherlands finished eighth at 18 under with a 72.
