Lauren TIbbets of Converse, Ind. was able to handle the windy conditions excellently in the final round of the Indiana PGA Women’s Open at TPC Woodland Trails to capture her second IWGA title of the year. The Butler University Senior, shot a final round 71 to hold off the rest of the field to claim the title.
“Just to see the talent level in Indiana and know that I can contend and win against them, is something special,” Tibbets said.
In the first round, Sierra Hargens of Indiana State fired a six-under-par, 66 to take the lead over Brittany Kelly of Woodland Country Club who fired a four-under-par, 68. Tibbets paced herself with a solid one-under-par 71 to sit in a tie for third.
Tibbets came into the final round knowing she had some ground to make up, and after four holes things weren’t getting any easier. She trailed Brittany Kelly by 6 strokes after Kelly birdied two of her first four holes.
“It was definitely tough to keep a positive mentality with her playing that well,” Tibbets said. “I thought to myself I am not playing that bad, but she is really tearing it up.”
When the wind started to pick up, the course became very difficult and pars were hard to find. Kelly who was once at seven-under-par for the tournament fell to 1-over-par through 13 holes, opening the door for other players.
Hargens, who started the day at six-under, dropped to 2-under-par through 14 holes.
“I knew I probably wasn’t going to go out and shoot a really low number, so I figured if I could stay around even par and play my game, I could give myself a chance.” Tibbets said.
On the par-5 15th, Tibbets made birdie to move back to 1-under for the tournament and one shot behind Hargens. Tibbets would make birdie again on the short par-4 17th, to tie Hargens atop the leaderboard.
Both players found themselves with wedge shots into the green on the 18th but it was Tibbets who was able to find the green, after Hargens left her approach in the greenside bunker.
“I was just thinking put it on the green,” Tibbets said. “I didn’t even look to see where she ended up. All I can control is my game so I just thought about giving myself a chance for birdie.”
Hargens was unable to get up and down while Tibbets safely two putted to secure her victory.
Katie Sharp of Kendallville, Ind. fired a final round 3-under-par, 69 to finish in a tie for second with Hargens.