‘It feels amazing’: Sagstrom rallies at Shadow Creek for 2nd LPGA win
Madelene Sagstrom arrived in Las Vegas on Monday wondering if she would ever play good golf again. She missed the cut in Arizona last week and had finished no better than 59th in any start this season.
She’s leaving Las Vegas as a champion.
Sagstrom rallied on the back nine with some remarkable recovery shots to hold off Lauren Coughlin 1-up to win the LPGA T-Mobile Match Play on Sunday at Shadow Creek.
“It feels amazing. I kind of forgot what it feels like,” Sagstrom said while clutching the trophy marking her first victory in five years. “I think mentally this was extremely important. Because I have been questioning (everything).”
Sagstrom started fast, winning the second hole with a par and then making birdies on the fourth, fifth and sixth holes to build a 4-up lead. But Coughlin fought her way back, like she had in all seven of her matches during the week. She not only erased the deficit, but pulled ahead on the 12th hole.
Then it became a tight battle down the stretch.
Sagstrom went 1-up on the 16th hole with a par, then kept her advantage with a pair of remarkable recovery shots on the final two holes. Her tee shot on 17 went over the green, leaving a dangerous downhill chip she hit mere inches and watched trickle down to the hole.
“It was kind of one of those I don’t really have a choice, so just go for it. It came out perfect,” Sagstrom said. “Don’t put me there again. I don’t want to do that again.”
She also saved par on the 18th after driving the ball right and about 75 yards behind Coughlin’s drive.
The victory is Sagstrom’s second on the LPGA Tour, but she had begun to doubt whether another trophy would ever come her way. Her previous win came at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in January 2020.
“I’ve questioned myself a lot in my career,” Sagstrom said. “Am I good enough? Am I good enough to play against these girls? Am I going to be one of the best players in the world? I’ve always had the ambition to be, but then I never know really. Like you never know. It’s sometimes hard to back yourself.”
Coughlin played more golf than anyone during the week, with all seven of her matches going to the 18th hole. She played 127 holes over five days.
“I’m pretty impressed how I’m feeling physically and mentally,” Coughlin said. “I’m pretty tired, but the fact that I was able to do it and play solid golf the whole time, I’m pretty proud of (that).”
The finish adds to Coughlin’s remarkable rise in the women’s game, with two wins late last season and a starring role on the Solheim Cup team.
“I don’t feel like I played my best golf this week and I still almost won,” she said. “I think (there are) a lot of positives I can take away.”
The victory was extra special for Sagstrom since her mother, Lena, spent the week with her in Las Vegas. It’s the first time she had seen her daughter win as a professional, Sagstrom said.
“Having the support means a lot,” Sagstrom said. “A win is a win, and having a win to share with people is the best feeling in the world. My husband called and cried and I cried more. It’s just the best feeling to share it with the people you love.”
In the morning semifinals, Coughlin beat Ariya Jutanugarn 1-up, while Sagstrom handled Angel Yin 4 and 2. Sagstrom also finished her quarterfinal against Celine Boutier, which had been halted by darkness Saturday night, winning on the 19th hole.
Greg Robertson covers golf for the Review-Journal. Reach him at grobertson@reviewjournal.com.
