Bailey Tardy shot a final-round 7-under 65 to claim his first LPGA Tour victory at Jianhu Blue Bay Golf Course in China. She became the first American to win the Blue Bay LPGA title and did it in her record-breaking style.
Her 19-under 269 was the lowest 72-hole score in tournament history. Tardy broke the 13-under record set by Minjee Lee in 2016.
The former Georgia Bulldog defeated Sara Schmelzel by four strokes, 68-70-66-65.
While you were sleeping, Bailey Tardy decided to jump forward and grab his first LPGA career win in spectacular fashion. Won by 4 strokes with a final round of 65!! ️#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/Aatux9aWvP
— Georgia Women’s Golf (@UGAWomensGolf) March 10, 2024
She had to fight quite a few powerful players, including Lydia Ko, to get this victory.
“Emotions are running high right now. There was a lot of hard work and doubts in my mind that I could reach this level and win. This is special,” Tardy said. . “My ball striking was pretty good all day and I made a lot of really good approach shots on the back nine. I think that really put me in a position to score like I did today.”
On Sunday, Tardi had six birdies, one eagle and one bogey. She started the round with seven pars. After that, she rode her momentum with incredible achievements. 51 foot eagle putt 8th par 5.
“I was behind on the front nine and just hung in there. I can’t say I woke up today and knew I was going to shoot 65 or that I had to shoot that low to win.” said Tardy.
“The leaderboards were stacked and the conditions were windy. I’m proud of myself and how I handled myself.”
Her only bogey was on No. 10, but she didn’t let that get her down, making five birdies in the final eight holes.
This is his first win since the Epson Tour’s 2021 Copper Rock Championship. After she gave up her senior year at the University of Georgia to turn pro in 2019, she had to fight to get an LPGA Tour card. The 27-year-old played on the Epson Tour until 2022, when it all finally paid off.
Tardy earned his membership by finishing second in the 2022 LPGA Q Series. She concluded her rookie season at Pebble Beach Golf Links by finishing tied for fourth at her U.S. Women’s Open.
However, she doubted whether a victory on the LGPA Tour would materialize.
“I did a lot of self-reflection trying to figure out if I was good enough and wanted it enough to be on the LPGA,” Tardy explained. “The road trip lifestyle is not for everyone, so I didn’t know if this was the career for me. Now that I’m an LPGA champion, I’m really glad I stuck to this path. It’s a dream.” Come true. ”
Tardy became the second American to win on the LPGA Tour this season, following Nelly Korda, who won the LPGA Drive-On Championship. She is also the third player to earn her first tour win on the Blue Bay LPGA, following LeeAnne Pace in 2014 and Gabby Lopez in 2018.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.If you want to know more about golf, please follow us. @_PlayingThrough On all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirls and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
