LET Member Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Copenhagen, Denmark) posted a 5-under, 66 and took advantage of an untimely double-bogey on 18 by Daniela Iacobelli (Melbourne, Florida) to win the Fuccillo Kia Classic of NY by one shot on the Symetra Tour. Madsen finished at 8-under, 205 to best Iacobelli and Kim Welch (Sacramento, Calif.), who finished at 7-under.
Madsen’s second win of the season and the first-place payout of $18,750 moves her to number one on the new Volvik Race for the Card money list at $53,527 in six starts. She also won the Symetra Classic.
“It (the win) came out of nowhere,” said 22-year-old Madsen, who was in a tie for fifth entering the final round. “When I got up this morning, I was thinking that a top-five finish would be good this week because there were a lot of people ahead of me and tied with me.”
Hannah Green (Perth, Australia) entered the final round with a one-shot lead and held the lead for most of the morning. Madsen birdied the first and then found her rhythm between the fifth and 11th holes when she made four birdies to get to 7-under. Meanwhile, Iacobelli caught fire on the back nine with three straight birdies on 12, 13 and 14 to grab the lead at 8-under. On hole 16, Iacobelli drained a 20-footer for birdie to get to 9-under. Madsen promptly responded with a 12-footer for birdie to get to 8-under.
“I had to make that putt (on 16) because she made a really good putt to get to 9-under and I was still 7-under at that point,” explained Madsen. “My putt wasn’t that easy so I was relieved when it went in.”
On 17, Madsen’s drive went just left of the cart path and settled on a patch of dirt surrounded by grass. She hit a brilliant shot to the fringe with a awkward stance. She then chipped to a foot and made par to stay within one shot heading to the 54th hole.
On 18, Iacobelli left her tee shot on the par-3 just short of the green and had about a 30-foot putt. Meanwhile, Madsen had a pin high 15-footer for birdie. Iacobelli sped her first putt by the hole and then Madsen just missed the birdie and tapped in for par. Then, Iacobelli missed a 7-footer for par and another 3-footer for bogey and made double to fall down to 7-under.
“When she missed the third one I felt bad for her,” said Madsen. “We should have been in a playoff, but I am happy I got the win.”
Madsen is now one win away from a Battlefield Promotion to the LPGA if she can pick up a third victory.
Madsen ranked 83rd in the world according to the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings coming into the week and will certainly move up. She is likely in consideration for a captain’s pick from Annika Sorenstam to play in The 2017 Solheim Cup.
“It would be really nice to play, but I know there are a lot of good players ahead of me so we will see what Annika decides,” said Madsen. “I have to be chosen so we will see.”
Madsen was also handed the keys to a brand new 2017 Kia Forte LX via Fuccillo Kia of Schenectady.
“It’s really nice that this tournament comes with a new car. Pretty cool.”
