Sports
Ecuadorean Wins Women's Professional Golf Tournament in Beaumont
She won $15,000 in the local tournament.
BEAUMONT, CA - Daniela Darquea shot a 5-under-par 67 Sunday to win the $100,000 IOA Championship at Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon in Beaumont, becoming the first Ecuadorean to win on the LPGA's developmental Symetra Tour.
"It's such a special feeling knowing that kids in Ecuador can look up to someone and say `I can play golf and be successful,"' Darquea said. "Golf is not a very popular sport in Ecuador so this is so special and really important to me."
Darquea began the round in a three-way tie for the lead and remained in a tie for the lead on the back nine. She took a two-stroke lead when she holed out for eagle from 130 yards out in the fairway on the 13th hole.
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"It is one of the toughest holes on the course and I was in the fairway and hit my 9-iron and the ball bounced on the front edge of the green and the second bounce hit the pin and went in," Darquea said. "I couldn't see from where I was, but everyone on the green started screaming so it was really cool."
Darquea parred each of the next four holes then concluded the tournament with a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, completing the three-round tournament at 12-under-par 204.
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"I was nervous and my hands were shaking, but that is pretty much why I play golf," Darquea said. "Thank God the ball went in."
Canadian Anne-Catherine Tanguay, who shared the lead with Darquea and American Briana Mao entering the round, and 19-year-old Benyapa Niphatsophon of Thailand tied for second, three strokes behind Darquea.
Mao shot a 2-over-par 74 to finish in a six-way tie for 11th, seven strokes off the lead.
Darquea received $15,000 for the victory. The top 10 earners on the final money list will earn LPGA membership for the 2018 season. The Symetra Tour is in its 19th season.
Darquea started playing golf when she was 4 years old.
"I just fell in love with the game and I couldn't stop playing,'' said Darquea, who bypassed her final year of eligibility at Miami to turn professional. "The start to my professional career has been fun. I'm really happy that I am playing well.''
– By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock
