The sun shone down on the Great Lakes Championship for the first time since the competition started on Friday. But the sun wasn’t the only thing shining. Multiple athletes carded low rounds, making a push to hoist the trophy, but it was ultimately Riley Smyth who came out victorious. The 25-year-old carded a 6-under final round that consisted of seven birdies and one bogey to hold off the rest of the field in a nail-biter fashion. Waiting beside 18 green for the final group’s last effort at forcing a playoff, Smyth’s shoulders sank in relief when her second win became official.
“I didn’t have a great first round, kind of gutted it out, but was able to come back and have two rounds 6-under, both the second and third,” said Smyth. “So, obviously, that gives a lot for my confidence, to be able to know that I can do that and come from behind. But still, a lot of golf is left to be played for the rest of this year.”
The Tequesta, Fla., native joins Race for the Card leader Gina Kim in the two-win and 1000-point club thanks to her performance at the Great Lakes Championship at the Highlands presented by Johnnie Walker. She’s also hot on Kim’s tail in the Race for the Card standings, just 21 points away from overtaking Kim.
“It’s so tough (to win a tournament). Everyone is so good out here that you still have to play your best golf,” said Smyth. “You have to be able to make the putts when you get the opportunities, and it’s just week in and week out; everyone is playing so well.
“The top of the leaderboard is so tight every week, and it’s great players at the top, so it’s hard to win a tournament, but to know that I can do it, it does help my confidence a lot.”
The win, along with a T15 result at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, moves Smyth into the lead for the Pure Michigan Cup by 47 points. Another top finish at the Island Resort Championship could see the University of Virginia alum walk away with $10,000 in bonus money.
Second place belonged to Erika Hara, Isi Gabsa and Laney Frye, who all made great efforts to catch Smyth throughout the round. Hara made the biggest leaderboard jump of the three, also signing for a 6-under final round. First-and-second-round leader Laney Frye tried to hold onto her 36-hole lead but ultimately took away valuable confidence and lessons for the future.
“I think I’m just taking confidence,” said Frye. “I mean, I left a good amount of shots out there, so I think I know where my game needs to get sharper. And I think this kind of proves that I definitely can win out here.”
Rounding out the top five was Kayla Smith, who also carded the low round of the day at 7-under. The rookie’s final round 65 set a new 18-hole tournament record at the inaugural tournament and moved her from T19 to solo 5th.
The Road to the LPGA continues its way up Northern Michigan, traveling to Harris for the Island Resort Championship. The tournament will be played at Sweetgrass Golf Club from June 20-22.
Provided by: Epson Tour Communications
