Victory for the American Austin Ernst this Sunday at the Drive On Championship, ahead of her compatriot Jennifer Kupcho by five strokes, at the Golden Ocala (Florida). Good finish for Perrine Delacour with two final cards of 70, who finished in the top 20 in 14th place (-3). First top 10 for the Swiss Albane Valenzuela who finished 5th.

Drive On: Austin Ernst wins, Delacour in the top 20

Austin Ernst - © Keith Allison via Wikimedia Commons - Creative Commons License

Ernst tied for the lead with Kupcho after the first two rounds of the Drive On Championship, came out on top with a solid 70 (-2) for a total score of 273 (-15) ahead of her compatriot still in search of five strokes. a first title. Jenny Coleman completes the podium at 8 under par.

"I think it's really cool to be in the heat of the moment all week and to be able to perform like I did", Ernst said. “To play the shots that I hit, and to achieve those scores, I think it's a really good sign for me to see what I've been able to do all week just if I keep a little bit of self-confidence. and what I could do ”

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Kupcho, author of an eagle to close the day on Saturday, returned a last card of 74 including a double bogey and three bogeys.

Following the success of sisters Jessica and Nelly Korda in the first two events of the year, Ernst gave the United States for the first time since 2007 a third consecutive season opener.

"The difference this week, even last week, was that I just made a commitment to believe in what I'm doing and that's good enough"said Ernst, who did not cross the cut last week at the Gainbridge LPGA with laps of 75 and 72.

“I think this week has proven to be more than achievable. It was funny to walk and to know I was going to win. I hadn't experienced this yet and it was fun. "

Still looking for a first win, the 23-year-old former Wake Forest star Kupcho from Colorado won the NCAA title in 2018 and the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur in 2019.

"Just work to get stronger and keep focusing on my game", Kupcho said. “Pretty much the same thing I did in the offseason. I think it will be good to have a little break for a few days. "

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To read our last article on the same subject :

Drive On Championship: Nelly Korda continues the show!