HARRIS, Mich. — Kim Kaufman won the Island Resort Championship on Sunday for her first Symetra Tour title, beating Japan's Mitsuki Katahira with a two-putt par on the first hole of a playoff.
Kim Kaufman wins Island Resort Championship for first Symetra Tour title
July 1, 2013 at 12:05AM
Kaufman, the 6-foot former Texas Tech player from Clark, S.D., made 20-foot birdie putts on the final two holes in regulation for a 4-under 68 to match Katahira at 3-under 213 on the Sweetgrass course.
Kaufman won in her third start on the tour.
"It feels good, but I don't think it's sunk in yet," Kaufman said. "It feels great, I couldn't have asked for a better start."
She earned $17,250 to jump from 60th to ninth on the money list at $20,986, with the final top 10 earning 2014 LPGA Tour cards.
"That would be like a dream come true," Kaufman said. "I thought it was just the best opportunity to come out here and play after college, but getting a card would be beyond belief. Hopefully, now it is possible."
Katahira closed with a 71. Jessi Gebhardt and Garrett Phillips tied for third at 1 under. Gebhardt finished with a 70, and Phillips shot 73.
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Frankie Capan III, who will be playing on the PGA Tour next year, finished at 13 under par at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship.
