CAMARILLO, Calif. — Jody Ewart Shadoff finally won the LPGA Tour title in her 246th start, closing with a 1-over 71 in a nerve-wracking final round Sunday for a one-shot victory at the LPGA Mediheal Championship.
Ewart Schadoff went wire-to-wire at the Setikoy Club, and the final round felt more like a roller coaster. The 34-year-old Englishman opened with a four-shot lead, which was gone by the time she made the turn.
South African Paula Reto had four birdies and took the lead when Ewart Schadoff bogeyed the par-3 ninth hole.
Ewart Schadoff regained a share of the lead with a birdie on No. 12, matching birdies with Reto on the par-5 14th and holding on as the South African fell behind.
Reto dropped shots on the next two holes and Ewart Shadoff held it together on the closing holes. Former US Women’s Open champion Yuka Sasso, who closed the tournament with a 66, was one shot behind.
Reto had to settle for a 69 to tie for third place with Georgia Hall (65) and Danielle Kang (67).
When she equalized, the celebration was a mixture of tears from friends and players showered on Ewart Shadoff.
“That last 1-footer felt like 20 feet to me,” she said.
She became the 10th player this year to win for the first time on the LPGA Tour, one short of the record set in 1995. None of the others had to wait that long.
“It’s a bit of a dedication,” Ewart Schadoff said, holding back tears. “I didn’t know if this moment would come. I’m very grateful to everyone on my team. Last year was very difficult. I’m standing here because of them. Thank you very much.”
Ewart Shadoff just knew Sunday would be a new experience, and the challenge came quickly when Reto held on through six holes — three birdies to Ewart Shadoff’s bogey on the third hole. But she never falls behind and doesn’t lean on her game, especially the strong part, but on her poet.
“I learned that I can fight through adversity. I can play under nerves, which has been a problem for me before, just try to calm the nerves and play through it,” she said. “I think I’ve proven to myself that I can do it. I’ve proven that I can win. It’s been a long time, and I don’t think I can, to be honest, sitting here. Thank you very much.”
19-year-old Atthaya Titikul from Thailand closed the tournament with a 68 and placed eighth. She also made her fourth consecutive top-10 finish on the LPGA Tour as she nearly reached No. 1 in the women’s world rankings.
Jin Young Ko is number 1 and was at home resting her sore left wrist. Ko will return to competition in two weeks when the LPGA Tour heads to South Korea.
