In an impressive display of skill, Ingrid Lindblad clinched victory at the JM Eagle LA Championship on Sunday, marking her third appearance on the LPGA Tour. The event was hosted at the El Caballero Country Club. Lindblad, a rookie member, narrowly sidestepped a playoff when her fellow competitor, Akie Iwai, made a bogey on the last hole.
Reflecting on her win, Lindblad expressed her surprise, sharing, “You should never not expect it, right? But obviously got it done in a couple of starts. Just kind of crazy.”
Lindblad, originally from Sweden and a former standout at LSU, posted a round of 4-under 68, concluding the tournament strong with an overall score of 21-under 277. Demonstrating her prowess, she notched the last of her six birdies on the par-5 11th and maintained her composure to par the final seven holes despite incurring two bogeys earlier.
“Felt like I could have made a couple more birdies on the back nine but nothing really wanted to drop,” Lindblad reflected. “I feel like I was just trying to like be where you can’t see if you’re 5-under par or 5-over par. Just staying in the moment and show no emotion. But sometimes it’s hard to show no emotion.”
Akie Iwai, who had a fantastic third-round score of 64, followed with a 69 on the final day but fell just one stroke short of Lindblad’s total. Despite the loss, she remains optimistic about her game, stating, “I got confidence, yeah, but I lose this week. But I got confidence, a lot. Little by little, this week, next week, the next week, just keep going.”
In a unique twist, Iwai’s twin sister, Chisato, also competed and finished tied for 11th place at 15-under, earning a 68 to cap her tournament. The sisters had played side by side during Saturday’s round.
During the final stages, Iwai closed in on Lindblad’s lead with a birdie on the par-5 16th, matching scores at 21-under. Overcoming a tricky drive and executing a low cut shot, Iwai managed a remarkable putt almost achieving an eagle, yet ultimately settling just under par.
However, on the par-4 18th, Iwai found herself in trouble when her drive landed in rough terrain. Following her second shot, the approach overshot the green, and her recovery fell short. “Maybe I have adrenaline,” she noted, adding, “But I don’t like short.”
Meanwhile, Lindblad experienced a stroke of luck on the par-4 13th when her ball deviated off a tree and fortuitously landed in the fairway. This allowed her to par the hole, holding onto a vital two-stroke lead. Commenting on the fortunate bounce, she mused about a playful interaction, “I don’t know the camera guy up there, but he was like, `There was a little squirrel up there who was nice to you and bumped it out on the fairway.’”
Additionally, golfers Lauren Coughlin, Esther Henseleit, and Miyu Yamashita all finished tied for third at 19-under. While Nasa Hataoka posted a solid 63 to end up at 18-under.
Recent champion Hannah Green concluded her performance with a 67, tying for ninth place at 16-under, equaled by second-ranked Jeeno Thitikul who carded a 69. Meanwhile, top-ranked Nelly Korda, before defending her title in the upcoming Chevron Championship, shot a 72, leaving her tied for 16th at 14-under.
Due to renovations at its usual home at Wilshire Country Club, this year’s tournament unfolded at El Caballero, although it is expected to return to Wilshire in the next season. Lindblad’s consistent excellence was highlighted by her repeated 68s in the opening rounds, paired with a standout 63 on Friday.
Reflecting on her approach throughout the week, Lindblad stated, “I feel like I played pretty aggressive all week. I think it would just hurt me if we were trying to get too defensive. Felt like we stuck to the same game plan as we had the first three days, and turns out it worked out really well.”