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Sweden’s Linnea Ström shot the lowest final round in LPGA Tour history to win the Shoprite Classic in New Jersey with a stunning comeback from last in the field.
The 27-year-old only made the cut with a birdie at the final hole on Saturday and began the day seven off the lead in joint-52nd place and, according to KMPG Golf’s win probability statistics, had only a 0.001% chance of victory.
However, she produced nine birdies and an eagle in an 11-under-par round of 60 to catapult her to 14 under and a first LPGA Tour title and the $262,500 (£207,000).
South Korea’s Jenny Shin, the overnight leader, shot a one-over 72 to fall out of contention while American Megan Khang failed to hole her chip at the last to force a playoff as Ström completed the largest LPGA Tour final-round comeback by position, surpassing Ayako Okamoto’s win from joint-23rd in 1987. Ayaka Furue of Japan shared second with Khang following a final round of 65.
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It was the second brilliant comeback by a Swedish woman in a matter of hours after Linn Grant, a fellow Arizona State University graduate, came from 11 shots behind to win the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed on the DP World Tour in her homeland.
Ström, who had to wait for over four hours for her victory to be confirmed after completing her round, said she “really did not expect this waking up today. This is proof that you should never give up. Just go out there and give it your all.”