The 2021 Symetra Tour began with the inaugural Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic in Mesa, Arizona. The event was a 72-hole format at Longbow Golf Club on a par 72 layout of 6439 yards.
First Round
On a great day for scoring where 50 players posted rounds under par, Celine Herbin took the lead after posting a 65 that included six birdies and an eagle. Ruixin Liu was right on her tail after a six-under par round of 66. Janet Mao, thanks for a four-under par start on the front nine, was also two shots off the pace. Robyn Choi and Lauren Coughlin led a group of five at four-under par. Amateur Olivia Mehaffey was among nine at three-under par. Notables Janie Jackson and Laura Wearn were well off the pace after rounds of 74 and 75, respectively.
Second Round
Olivia Mehaffey got on a roll after a slow start, recording nine birdies over the final 14 holes. Her round of 64 vaulted her to the top of the leaderboard, two shots ahead of Laura Coughlin, Celine Herbin, and Ruixin Liu. Allie White posted a very solid round of 68 and was just two off the pace at the halfway point of the tournament. Karoline Stormo had two bogeys but rebounded with an eagle and six birdies for a round of 66. She was just five back, along with Robyn Choi. Janet Mao fell six off the pace following a 73. Janie Jackson and Laura Wearn both rebounded with rounds under 70 to make the cut, which was at even par.
Third Round
Five birdies over the final 11 holes lifted Ruixin Liu to the top of the leaderboard at 14-under par. She held a one-shot edge of Fatima Fernandez Cano who shot a round of 66. Celine Herbin and Olivia Mehaffey remained in the mix at 12-under, as well as amateur Rose Zhang, after a round of 66. The round of the day went to Ingrid Gutierrez Nunez, who got to within four of the lead after an eight-under par round of 64. Still withing striking distance entering the final round were Marissa Steen and Karoline Stormo at nine-under, and Jenny Coleman at eight-under par.
Final Round
Rose Zhang used a round of 66, including birdies on 16 and 17 to finish at 17-under par. That was good enough to get into a two-way playoff with Ruixin Liu, who recorded four birdies on the day. Both players recorded a par on the par 5 18th opening playoff hole. Heading back to 18, Liu won the tournament with a birdie, Fatima Fernandez Cano finished in sole possession of third. The round of the day was posted by Haylee Harford, whose 64 placed her in fourth place at 13-under par. After an impressive round of 65, Sophia Shubert finished in a four-way way for 6th at 11-under par. Not all players fared well on the final day. First round leader Celine Herbin stumbled to a 76 and finished tied for 14th. Laura Wearn was six-over par on the back nine, finishing with a 79 and tied for 41st.
Coming Up
The Symetra Tour heads to Beaumont, California March 26-28 for the IOA Championship Presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. This 54-hole event takes place on par 72 layout of 6526 yards. Fatima Fernandez Cano looks to defend her title in this event with a purse of $150,000.
