Sweden’s Linnea Ström posted the lowest final round score in LPGA Tour history to win the Shoprite Classic in New Jersey with a stunning comeback from last in the field.
The 27-year-old only made the cut on Saturday with a birdie on the final hole and started the seventh day in a tie for 52nd place and had just a 0.001% chance of victory, according to KMPG Golf’s win probability statistics. .
However, she produced nine birdies and an eagle in an 11-under-par round of 60, which catapulted her to 14 under and a first LPGA Tour title and the $262,500 (£207,000).
South Korea’s Jenny Shin, the overnight leader, shot a one-over 72 to fall out of contention, while American Megan Khang failed to pierce her chip on the last to earn a to force a playoff when Ström completed the LPGA Tour’s biggest final-round comeback at position, surpassing Ayako Okamoto’s win from a tie for 23rd in 1987. Japan’s Ayaka Furue finished second with Khang after a final-round 65.
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It was the second brilliant comeback by a Swedish woman within hours after fellow Arizona State University graduate Linn Grant won the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed by 11 shots on the DP World Tour in her home country.
Ström, who had to wait more than four hours for confirmation of her victory after completing her lap, said she “really didn’t expect this waking up today. This is proof that you should never give up. Just go out there and give it your all.”