Stoelting rallies to win Four Winds Invitational

Published 9:18 pm Sunday, June 19, 2016

SOUTH BEND — Jackie Stoelting came from five shots back to win the fifth annual Four Winds Invitational at Blackthorn Golf Club Sunday.

Stoelting began Sunday’s final round five shots behind third round leader Emily Tubert.

She shot a 5-under par 67 to win her second straight LPGA Symetra Tour victory.

Stoelting shot 33 on the back nine to finish with a 7-under 209.

Ally McDonald, who started the day six shots behind Tubert, finished second with a 210.

Tubert shot a 6-over par 78 to finished tied for 11th.

“I knew I would have to shoot a low number today to even have a chance,” said Stoelting. “I just had to play my own game and make as many birdies as I could. I’m just fortunate that I was on top at the end of the day.”

She won the Fuccillo Kia Championship two weeks ago to moved into sixth place in the Volvik Race for the Cup money list. With her $22,500 check Sunday, Stoelting is now second on the money list behind Madeline Sagstrom, who finished in a tie for 20th place after shooting a 217.

Stoelting finished Sunday’s final round with seven birdies. Four of those birdies came over a four-hole stretch beginning at No. 9, and moved her from 3-under to 7-under and into the lead.

“I saw a leaderboard on 15 and saw I was on top of the leaderboard and I was kind of surprised,” Stoelting said. “Once I made birdie on the four holes in a row I told myself ‘OK, I’m at least up there’ and we will see what happens. Unfortunately, I made bogey on the par-5 16th and I was a little frustrated coming off that.”

This is the second time in Stoelting’s career that she has won back-to-back titles. She did the same thing last season.

“I guess winning two in a row is a good way to do things,” Stoelting said. “The fact that I won two last year gave me confidence for this week thinking I just had a week off and I was feeling good after hardly touching a club last week.”

McDonald moved from seventh to fourth on the money list with her runner-up finish.

Marina Choi, who held the lead early Sunday morning, finished third, while Catherine O’Donnell, Therese O’Hare, Marissa Steen, Nelly Korda and Erica Popson all tied for fourth.