Iacobelli Wins Fifth Career Epson Tour Title at the Hartford HealthCare Women's Championship

The Sunday marathon of golf at the Hartford HealthCare Women's Championship ended dramatically, a common occurrence for Great River Golf Club. Following last year's seven-hole playoff was going to be tough, but Daniela Iacobelli and Amelia Lewis delivered, trading birdies back and forth for 18 holes before Iacobelli finally sealed the deal for her fifth Epson Tour victory and first since 2022.

Entering the day with a three-shot lead was Iacobelli, who posted rounds of 66 and 67 to enter the day at 11-under. She put the field on notice early in her final round, making back-to-back birdies to open her day, adding another on the fourth hole to start the round 3-under through four holes. The lead stretched to five early in the day but would soon be dwindled down by some outstanding play from Lewis, who made birdies on holes 11 and 12. A bogey from Iacobelli on No. 13 moved Lewis within two shots of the lead, and that is when the tournament really started.

Lewis would birdie 14, 15, and 16, but Iacobelli matched her with birdies of her own on 14 and 15. The lead sank to just one shot with two holes to play. Iacobelli missed the green on the par-3 17th, while Lewis found the putting surface but would have to make a long putt to tie the lead. The leader managed the 17th hole like a champion should, getting up and down to put the pressure back on Lewis, who missed her putt and still had some work left to do for par. Lewis rolled in her par putt as the pair headed down 18, only one shot separating them.

Both players found the fairway off the tee, with Iacobelli once again applying the pressure, hitting her approach to 20 feet for birdie. Lewis's approach came up short of the green, and she hit her chip 15 feet past the hole. This seemed to swing wide open for Iacobelli as she had her eyes on a fifth Epson Tour trophy. Iacobelli rolled her putt 3-feet short, but it felt much longer once Lewis rolled in her par save to shoot a tournament record 8-under 64 in her final round.

"I was not really nervous because I thought I was playing for second all day. Then all the putts started dropping, and I'm like, well, I'm in it, and I have a chance," explained Lewis. "I knew I had to make it to put some pressure on her on the last hole. I made it, and then I let some emotion out just because I've been holding it in all day. It's a long, tough three days, and I'm just really proud of how I played."

The four-time Epson Tour champion stepped up to her 3-foot putt and rolled it in dead center. A sense of relief was visible as Iacobelli embraced the water shower, that followed by her close friends, who were huddled around 18 green. The 36-year-old moves to No. 2 in the Race for the Card standings with only seven events to play. This puts her in a prime position to earn her LPGA Tour card for the third time.

"I still haven't figured out the word for it. When I figure out the word, I think I'll have to get back to you," said Iacobelli on her fifth Epson Tour win. "I was shaking; I didn't really start shaking till the second shot on 15. So, I think I was kind of okay. But Amelia went birdie on 12, birdie on 13, par on 14. So she got three back on me there. It was unbelievable to watch. I wish it were recorded because she made unbelievable putts. But yes, I was as nervous as I could be."

QUICK QUOTES

Jessica Porvasnik (-9, 6th) on another top finish in 2024 and staying in the top 15:

"I've been playing steady, lots of fairways and greens. When I get off track that's usually why. I'm putting the ball well, gave myself a lot of good looks today and capitalized on them. I'm trying to stay focused just on playing good golf. If it happens, it happens. Points are points."

ShuangShuang Fan (-7, T8) on moving from 31st into the top 10:

"So, first of all, I kind of love this course because, last year was my rookie year and I made the cut so actually, that means a lot. When I got here, I just felt a little bit more confident then the last few tournaments. My shots and everything were not bad, actually. I just kind of get very nervous, so I'm glad that I dealt with that well, even just for one time."

Amy Lee (-2, T32) on closing making her first career albatross:

"I mean I was all over the place. I probably didn't make very many pars. It was a lot of ups and downs, but I ended up one over. I was like four over through the first ten holes and I climbed my way back. The albatross was something special. I've never had one of those before, and I've been due for a hole and one, and I've been aiming for that but this definitely tops it."

IN THE WINNERS CIRCLE WITH DANIELA IACOBELLI

Hometown/Resides: Melbourne, Florida

Age: 36

Qualified for the Epson Tour: Completed 72 holes at 2009 LPGA Qualifying Series to first earn membership

Rookie Year: 2010