Sweden’s Jenny Haglund, who won her first Ladies European Tout title in the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco last month, has captured another win with the Symetra Classic at River Run Country Club in the United States.
“I didn’t really think it was going to be a play-off,” said Haglund. “I was sitting, waiting around for my friend who was in the last group. Before [the playoff], I went into my bubble and did a warm-up, then out. It was a long day, but passed the time by doing some other things.”
The former Southern Methodist University (SMU) standout capped a final round 5-under par with a birdie on No. 18, to snag the solo lead at 4-under par overall. That happened around 10 a.m. ET.
From there, Haglund waited. And waited. A little over five hours later, she found herself on the tee box of No. 18 again, this time in the first hole of a sudden-death playoff against Dottie Ardina (Laguna, Philippines).
Each player knocked their third shot onto the green to make it a putting contest. Haglund stepped up first, about 45-feet from the cup, and with ice in her veins, rolled it right down Broadway. That proved to be the deciding factor, as Ardina was not able to convert her birdie opportunity.
“It was just in the moment and then I saw it drop,” said Haglund. “I don’t really remember, honestly. It was really, really nice to see it go in.”
Haglund made her first career Symetra Tour start in Beaumont, Calif., at the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. In just her fourth event, she is a Symetra Tour champion. Overall, she has four top-20 finishes on the year, including three top-10s and two top-5 results, with a win as the cherry on top.
“It has been a great season so far. I’ve put myself in contention a lot and been really happy with the way I have been progressing,” said Haglund. “It’s nice that I came out on top this week and I’m really proud of myself. It’s a great event and I’m just really, really happy.”
