All eyes were on Lydia Ko entering the final round of the LPGA, but it was an American bomber fighting jet lag and a stomach bug who wound up dominating the field in China. Bailey Tardy, who many fans got to know last summer when she led early at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, entered the final round tied with Ko and good friend Sarah Schmelzel.
The former Georgia standout played her last 11 holes in 7 under to pull away from the field and clinch a four-stroke victory at the Blue Bay LPGA. Tardy, 27, shot 66-65 over the weekend to finish at 19 under and claim her first LPGA title.
“A lot of emotions right now,” said Tardy, who earned $330,000. “A lot of hard work and just a lot of doubt that was in my head that I could be at this level and win.
“This is special.”
Ko finished six shots back in a share of fourth.
Here are five things to know about how things wrapped up on Hainan Island: