PORTLAND, Ore. — Moriya Jutanugarn emerged from a tight pack late Sunday afternoon at Columbia Edgewater to win the Portland Classic for her third career LPGA Tour title.
Three strokes behind leader Andrea Lee going into the round, Jutanugarn shot a 6-under 66 in mostly calm conditions for a two-stroke victory over three players.
Jutanugarn finished at 22-under 266, playing the first 71 holes without a bogey. The 30-year-old Thai player birdied Nos. 13-15 and made an 8-footer to save par on the par-3 16th. She made a short birdie putt on the par-4 17th and closed with a bogey.
Narin An (66), Nataliya Guseva (68) and Angel Yin (69) tied for second. Guseva is the first Russian player with an LPGA Tour card.
Jutanugarn also won the 2018 HUGEL-JTBC LA Open and 2021 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational team event with younger sister Ariya Jutanugarn. Ariya Jutanugarn, a 12-time LPGA Tour winner, closed with a 65 on Sunday to tie for ninth at 17 under.
Sofia Garcia (68) and So Mi Lee (70) tied for fifth at 19 under, and second-round leader Dewi Weber (72) was another stroke back.
Lee, the 2022 winner for her lone LPGA Tour title, had a 74 to finish in the group at 17 under.
Weber dropped back with a double bogey on the par-4 15th and a bogey on 16. She was trying to win for the first time on the LPGA Tour and send a statement to the Dutch Olympic committee that it made a mistake by declining to send her to Paris.
She qualified for the Olympics under International Golf Federation standards, but was left out because of the Netherlands’ separate standards for all sports to meet a realistic chance of a top-eight finish.
With the Olympics next week, no one from the top 30 in the world ranking was in the field. The lone Olympian in Portland was Aditi Ashok of India. She finished with a 72 to tie for 22nd at 14 under.
Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn emerged victorious at the 2021 Portland Classic, securing her third LPGA Tour title in impressive fashion. The 27-year-old golfer displayed exceptional skill and composure throughout the tournament, ultimately clinching the title with a final-round 67 to finish at 14-under par.
Jutanugarn’s victory at the Portland Classic is a testament to her talent and dedication to the sport. She showcased her ability to navigate the challenging course at Columbia Edgewater Country Club with precision and poise, consistently hitting accurate shots and sinking crucial putts when it mattered most.
This win marks a significant milestone in Jutanugarn’s career, as she continues to establish herself as a formidable force on the LPGA Tour. Her previous victories include the 2018 HUGEL-JTBC LA Open and the 2018 Ladies Scottish Open, demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure on a variety of courses and conditions.
Jutanugarn’s success at the Portland Classic is a result of her hard work and commitment to improving her game. She has honed her skills through hours of practice and dedication to her craft, constantly striving to elevate her performance and compete at the highest level.
As she celebrates her third LPGA Tour title, Jutanugarn looks ahead to future challenges and opportunities to further showcase her talent on the international stage. With her impressive victory at the Portland Classic, she has solidified her status as one of the top players in women’s golf and a contender for future major championships.
Overall, Moriya Jutanugarn’s win at the Portland Classic is a testament to her skill, determination, and perseverance in the face of stiff competition. Her success serves as inspiration for aspiring golfers around the world and highlights the incredible talent present on the LPGA Tour. Congratulations to Moriya Jutanugarn on her well-deserved victory and best wishes for continued success in her golfing career.