Daniela Iacobelli wins Symetra Tour’s Tullymore Classic
Jul 5, 2015, 5:18 PM
STANWOOD, Mich. (AP) — Daniela Iacobelli birdied the final two holes Sunday for a one-stroke victory in the Symetra Tour’s Tullymore Classic.
The 27-year-old former Florida Tech player closed with a 6-under 66 to finish at 16-under 200 at Tullymore Golf Club. She was born in Detroit and lived in Michigan until she was a teenager.
“I think every single thought that a golfer can have,” Iacobelli said about what she was thinking standing over her birdie putt on the par-5 18th. “Straight back and straight through. Not too hard. Not too soft. Don’t peak and pray that it goes in.”
Former UCLA player Lee Lopez and Japan’s Haruka Morita-WanyaoLu and Chie Arimura tied for second. Lopez birdied six of the last seven holes for a 62, Morita-WanyaoLu had a 67, and Arimura a 68. Arimura missed a chance to force a playoff when she left her 6-foot birdie putt short on 18.
“I almost dropped to my knees,” Iacobelli said. “When I was in the tent, I was thinking how I would play in the playoff and when her putt didn’t drop it’s almost like you snap out of competition mode immediately. It took a second, but then I was doused with a lot of water so that helped.”
Iacobelli earned $15,000 to jump from 15th to second on the money list with $40,597. The final top 10 will earn 2016 LPGA Tour cards. Iacobelli also won the tour’s 2012 Daytona Beach Invitational.
“It’s one of the best feelings,” Iacobelli said. “I’ve done it in my two home states. I don’t think that I could have set up an off week any better.”
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
