NORTH YORKSHIRE golfing star Jodi Ewart Shadoff celebrated the biggest win of her career overnight as she triumphed in the Mediheal Championship in California to claim her first LPGA Tour title.
Having entered the final day at the Saticoy Club with a four-shot lead, a nervous start left the 34-year-old with plenty of work to do to claim her maiden tour title.
But after splitting two bogeys with a birdie on the front nine, Ewart Shadoff was able to pick up shots on the 12th and 14th holes to regain her advantage headed into the home stretch.
A monumental moment for this champion.
— LPGA (@LPGA) October 10, 2022
In her 246th start, @Jodi_Ewart earns her first LPGA win at the @MEDIHEALChamp. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/N4zFaECBEL
She then held her nerve on the run home, with four straight pars and a round of 71 enough to claim victory with an overall score of 15 under.
Born in Northallerton and raised in Middleham, Ewart Shadoff is now based full-time in the United States, with her maiden tour win coming after a decade of near misses on the LPGA Tour.
“It’s a little bit surreal,” said Ewart Shadoff, who was a member of Catterick Golf Club before I initially emigrating to the US to study at the University of New Mexico. “I didn’t know if this moment would ever come.
“I’m just really grateful for everybody who’s on my team. Last year was really hard, but I’m standing here because of them. I’m just really grateful.”
Ewart Shadoff made her LPGA Tour debut in 2011 after coming through qualifying school, and is a three-time member of Europe’s Solheim Cup team.
She was runner-up at the AIG Women’s British Open in 2017, but has struggled in the last few seasons as injuries have blighted her progress.
A back problem contributed to a disappointing year in 2021 – she played in 19 events and recorded 11 missed cuts – but her performances have improved gradually over the course of the last 12 months, culminating in her victory in California.
#LPGAWinnerSelfie with @Titleist golf ball loyalist, @Jodi_Ewart!
— LPGA (@LPGA) October 10, 2022
Jodi won the @MEDIHEALChamp with her Titleist Pro V1x 👏 #TeamTitleist pic.twitter.com/2fLLU4wnzw
“There were times during last year where I didn’t think that I was going to be playing this year,” said Ewart Shadoff, whose victory has earned her a place at the 2023-24 Tournament of Champions. “So, to be stood here (after winning), it’s just really awesome I didn’t give up on myself.
“Last year was tough, and it was a really significant mental challenge to get through that. My team helped me to believe in myself, when I really didn’t.
“I just tried to take each shot as it came in that final round, and just stayed really patient. The first few holes were about trying to regulate my emotions and my nerves. I didn’t know what was going to happen, so I just tried to stay within myself and hit as many good shots as I could and tried to stay present.”
Having recovered from her back issues, Ewart Shadoff’s decision to team up with esteemed swing coach Grant Waite has clearly paid dividends.
She has added extra distance to her game, with her win at the Mediheal Championship coming off the back of two further top-ten finishes on tour this year.
“I learned that I could fight through adversity,” added Ewart Shadoff. “I can play under the nerves. I think I proved to myself that I can do it. I proved I can win. It’s been a long time, and I didn’t think I would ever be sat here, honestly. I’m just really grateful.”
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