Five things from the Dana Open, where Chanettee Wannasaen prevailed and the Sohleim Cup captain was low American
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Five things from the Dana Open, where Chanettee Wannasaen prevailed and the Sohleim Cup captain was low American
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July 21, 2024 5:49 pm ET
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Chanettee Wannasaen’s second LPGA victory felt miles different from her first, when she became the third Monday-qualifier in tour history to win at last year’s Portland Classic. This time, the 20-year-old came into the final round of the Dana Open with some history as she held the 54-hole lead for the first time in her career.
The Thai player was up by as many as five strokes midway through the Sunday’s round but watched that advantage dwindle to one as last year’s Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year, Haeran Ryu, shot up the board. Xiyu “Janet” Lin was the only top-20 player in the world in Sylvania, Ohio, for the 40th anniversary of the Dana Open. Lin, who is still looking off her first LPGA title, tied for fifth.
“Right now, I feel like I can’t explain anything,” she told Golf Channel’s Amy Rogers when it was over. “I just feel so proud of myself.”
Wannasaen held on to win by one stroke with birdies on the last two holes, draining an 18-footer to clinch the title at 20 under. She becomes the third Thai player to win this season, joining Patty Tavatankit and Atthaya Thitikul. At 20 years, three months, five days, Wannasaen is the youngest player to win this season.
“Last day I cannot like calm down because my heart is like boom, boom, boom, boom,” she said. “Every hole.”
Here are five things to know from Sunday in Sylvania:
The finish
Chanettee Wannasaen and Hae Ran Ryu speak during the final round of the Dana Open at Highland Meadows Golf Club on July 21, 2024 in Sylvania, Ohio. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
When the final group made its way to the 18th tee, a total of four groups were on the final hole at Highland Meadows. Wannasaen and Ryu took a rest on a nearby bench as players ahead attacked the closing par 5. They waited 24 minutes before teeing off.
Wannasaen’s last tee shot found the bunker, and though she led by one stroke, she still pulled out a fairway metal from 217 yards and opted for the aggressive play. She got away with the questionable approach, avoiding any real danger with her second shot and getting up and down from short left of the green to squeak out the win.
In the aftermath, Wannasaen was already looking ahead.
“Right now, I’m feel like I’m going looking for third trophy,” she said. “Yeah, I think it’s coming.”
It’s worth noting that the tour returns to Portland in two weeks.
CME surge
Mary Liu of China looks on during the final round of the Dana Open at Highland Meadows Golf Club on July 21, 2024 in Sylvania, Ohio. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
While Mary Liu and Ssu-Chia Cheng came up short in their bids for an LPGA title, their top-5 finishes secured much-needed CME points. Liu, who took a share of fifth, came into the week 141st in the standings while Cheng, who finished T-3, was 122nd. The top 100 players keep their cards for next year.
“I feel so lucky to be on the LPGA Tour,” said China’s Liu. “I think this is my 11th tournament on the LPGA, and I learn new thing every single week.
“So even I made the cut or miss the cut, I always do something that’s positive. Just keep going. I know being a rookie is tough.”
Aggressive defense
Linn Grant of Sweden plays her shot from the second tee during the final round of the Dana Open at Highland Meadows Golf Club on July 21, 2024 in Sylvania, Ohio. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
Linn Grant looked to become only the second player to successfully defend her title at the Dana, joining LPGA Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak, who went back-to-back in 1998-1999. Standing in fairway bunker on the par-5 18th, Grant had no designs to lay up. She went for the green in two and ultimately made double, dropping her into a share of third with Ssu-Chia Cheng.
The miscues cooled off a back nine that included five birdies in seven holes.
“Even today and yesterday when I felt like my shots weren’t fully there, I wasn’t like fully 100 percent committed mentally, I still told myself to like, no, just be aggressive. Be brave,” said Grant.
“I think it kind of shows on the back nine that it kind of worked for me today.”
Grant planned to head home to Sweden for several weeks to relax before the Paris Olympics.
Leading the USA
Stacy Lewis plays her shot from the second tee during the final round of the Dana Open at Highland Meadows Golf Club on July 21, 2024 in Sylvania, Ohio. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
American Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis played her best golf of the season at the Dana, taking a share of seventh. She was the highest U.S. player on the board.
“I’m exhausted,” she said, “but it was a great week.”
Lewis noted that she found something last week during a phone conversation with her longtime coach, Joe Hallett, that helped turn things around. The 39-year-old mom had missed the cut in her four previous starts.
It won’t be long before Lewis heads back to St. Andrews, site of her 2013 Ricoh Women’s British Open victory. Heading there in good form will be especially meaningful for the former No. 1.
‘Thank you, Lexi’
Lexi Thompson reacts during the second round of the Dana Open at Highland Meadows Golf Club on July 19, 2024 in Sylvania, Ohio. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
Lexi Thompson initially said no to the idea of Friday’s celebration. She didn’t want the attention, citing that the tour’s success is a group effort. But she eventually said yes, and Lexi Thompson Day proved emotional for the 29-year-old, who plans to step away from a full-time schedule after this season.
“Very honored and so amazing to see all the great fans around the first hole and then the flyover, said Thompson of the F-16s that put on a show. “That was incredible. Having to say a few words after that was pretty emotional.”
Thompson closed with a 67 on Sunday to jump up the board to T-19.
In addition to the flyovers, the tournament also handed out a limited number of pink “Lexi” hats as well as “Thank you, Lexi” buttons. Fans, staff and players were encouraged to take part in a “pink-out,” wearing Thompson’s favorite color.
While Thompson was not a past champions of the event, she did win a car in 2013 after a Sunday ace at the age of 18. She’d go on take a share of third in her Toledo debut. She finished runner-up in 2017 and 2018 and has never missed a cut in nine appearances.
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