The Symetra Tour headed to South Bend, Indiana this Labor Day weekend for the Four Winds Invitational. This 54-hole format on the 6,475 yard par-72 layout was won last year by Perrine Delacour. Her final round of 5-under par 67 was enough for a two-stroke win over Julian Hollis for her first victory. There would be a winner in the ninth playing of the event this year since Delacour is playing on the LPGA Tour.
In the first round, 29-year old veteran Kim Kaufman shot a 67 to take an early one-stroke lead over Elise Bradley. Robyn Choi, Lauren Coughlin, Savannah Vilaubi, Michelle Piyapattra, and Hira Naveed all were just two off the pace after rounds of 69. Four were at two under par, led by Janie Jackson, who entered second in the Volvik Race for the Card. Ten more were at one-under bringing the total of players under 21.
Kaufman continued to be the pace-setter in round two. Her five birdies leading to a round of 69 was good enough to take a one-shot lead into the final round. Coughlin recorded four birdies and an eagle, but two bogeys left her a shot off the lead. Samantha Wagner, Choi, Naveed, and three others were in a group just four back and five-under par. A total of 15 players finished 36 holes under par with a cut line of five-over par. Notables Ruixin Liu (number one for Volvik Race for the Card) was tied for 21st at +1. Jackson barely made the cut following a 79. Fatima Fenandez Cano (number three) shot duplicate rounds of 73, while number four Bailey Tardy was at minus two.
The round of the day on Sunday went to Tardy, who eagled the par-4 11th and the par-5 13th on the way to a 66, putting her in sole position of third at eight-under par. Robyn Choi drained six birdies on the day but a bogey on the 18th left her one shot back. Kim Kaufman held on for the win after a round of 69 that included five birdies and two bogeys. Kaufman’s victory vaulted her into the top position on the money list for 2020.
Lucy Li and Samantha Wagner finished strong at minus-five and four others were bunched at minus-four. Ruixin Liu shot an even par 72 and was at plus-one. Janie Jackson finished tied for 42nd at plus-four, while Anna Redding struggled to a final round of 75 and finished at plus-five.
The Symetra Tour won’t tee it up again until September 25, when the ladies head to Longwood, Florida for the IOA Classic presented by HomeValue.com and a purse of $175,000. Marta Sanz Barrio earned her second tour win in the event last season.
