NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — After waiting five years to clinch another LPGA Tour win, Madelene Sagstrom’s triumph seemed predictable as she went 4-up within the first six holes of the T-Mobile Match Play final. However, the journey did not remain smooth as Sagstrom had a brief stumble, even trailing at one point. Luckily, she regrouped just as Lauren Coughlin faced challenges towards the end, leading to Sagstrom’s 1-up victory on a demanding Shadow Creek course.
The decisive moment occurred on the par-5 16th hole, where Sagstrom secured a lead for good with a par while Coughlin ended up with a double bogey. The final took an unexpected yet fitting turn at this picturesque location, notorious for having the world’s top-ranked players falter, allowing Sagstrom, ranked 67th, to seize the $300,000 winner’s share. The Swedish golfer’s previous win was in 2020 at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.
Reflecting on her victory, Sagstrom noted, “Last week, I wondered if I’d ever play well again. Golf is rewarding when you succeed and extremely difficult during tough moments. I often question whether I’m good enough to compete with these players.” The final match reached the 18th hole for the first time in the tournament’s five-year history.
During this matchup of two 32-year-olds, Sagstrom swiftly gained an early advantage, holding a four-hole lead after six holes. This began with Coughlin bogeying No. 2 and Sagstrom making three consecutive birdies starting from the fourth hole. Yet, the match overturned as Sagstrom, suddenly unsteady, struggled with her tee shots and faced the challenging greens. “This golf course tests every part of your game,” said Sagstrom. “It’s an exceptional course that could even host a U.S. Open. Playing here feels like entering a different world.”
Coughlin managed to claim five of the next six holes, helped by Sagstrom shooting three bogeys and two doubles. Nevertheless, a bogey on the par-3 13th brought Sagstrom back to even, with both players remaining level until the 16th hole. Both players experienced trouble with the rough, and Coughlin’s long putt caused her to concede the hole back to Sagstrom.
Commenting on the challenging course, Coughlin shared, “It’s fun yet extremely difficult. It’s hard to predict how the ball will behave, but sometimes you can craft impressive shots if you manage the banks well.” Coughlin, ranked 17th, was tenacious throughout the tournament, playing intense matches that extended to 18 holes and some beyond. She had fought her way back from 3-down in previous matches, achieving a notable victory over Ariya Jutanugarn in the semifinals.
Although Coughlin remarked, “I didn’t run out of energy,” acknowledging the adrenaline sustained her game, she regretted missed opportunities as her putting faltered in the closing stages. “Apart from that, I felt I played outstanding golf today.”
Sagstrom also faced a tough path to the end. She endured a 19-hole round-of-16 match against Carlota Ciganda and waited as others battled through grueling matches. Ultimately, the semifinal against Celine Boutier turned tense, tied through 17 holes as night fell, and was suspended until Sagstrom secured a win early Sunday morning. She later defeated the 12th-ranked Angel Yin by 4 and 2 in the semifinals.
In search of her first win since the Scottish Open last August, Coughlin, who resides in Charlottesville, Virginia, continues to aim for more victories. She holds two career wins, both achieved the prior year.