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Liu tweaks back but holds off Symetra challengers down stretch

China’s Ruixin Liu poses with the trophy and ceremonial Potawatomi blanket after winning the Symetra Tour's Island Resort Championship at the Sweetgrass Golf Club in Harris on Sunday, June 24, 2018. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Mike Mattson)

HARRIS — Back pain can really hinder just about any sports man or woman, but pro golfer Ruixin Liu played through it Sunday to capture the Symetra Tour’s eighth annual Island Resort Championship at the Sweetgrass Golf Club.

Liu carded a 3-under 69 for her final round to finish at and 9-under 207 total for a narrow victory to earn the $26,250 winner’s paycheck, event trophy and ceremonial Potawatomi blanket.

She finished one stroke ahead of South Korea’s Min Seo Kwak and Lori Beth Adams of Burlington, North Carolina, and two strokes ahead of Natalie Sheary, Kristy McPherson, Marion Ricordeau, Ssu-Chia Cheng and Casey Danielson, the latter a crowd favorite and tournament exempt player from Osceola, Wisconsin.

Sheary put together Sunday’s low round of 6-under 66 with the help of seven birdies.

Liu, a resident of Dalien, China, who tied for second place last year, felt in control until the back nine, where she tweaked her back after a drive on the par-4 14th hole.

“Hole No. 14 is reachable,” Liu said. “I tried to hit it really hard with the driver. But my right foot slipped. So I kind of twisted my back a little and I pulled that shot really bad.

“I didn’t feel anything at that hole. It just started hurting really bad on … hole No. 15. So the last four holes were a little tough for me.

“I (felt) pretty comfortable before hole No. 14, but after that I (got) a little nervous because it was a tie lead and also because the injury … really bothered me.”

Liu, who was three shots back and tied for seventh place entering Sunday’s final round, said some cream and stretching helped her play through the pain on the last four holes — all pars — to secure her first Symetra victory.

“I feel pretty good (about) this course because last year I finished tied for second and I just like the style,” she said. “And I (felt) pretty good before I (teed) off…. I’m just pretty proud I pulled it through to the end.”

Liu recorded a double-bogey on No. 14 for her worst hole of the day. She reeled off birdies on the fifth, seventh, ninth, 11th and 12th holes and came down the stretch with pars.

Liu, who tied for 17th place last week at the Forsyth Classic in Decatur, Illinois, shot a 2-under 70 on Saturday to put herself in position to challenge the final day.

“It feel(s) like I improved something from the last year and I feel happy about that,” Liu said. “This week my putting was extremely good. And compared to last year, I think that is the biggest thing to help me to have this trophy this year.”

Kwak had a bogey-free round with four birdies for 68, while Adams’ round of 71 included four birdies, a bogey and double bogey.

Danielson, who was four shots behind Cheng after Saturday’s second round, came out blazing with birdies on the first two holes Sunday. She also managed a birdie on No. 6 and another on No. 14, but bogeys on No. 8 and No. 18 couldn’t put her over the top.

“I was having fun,” Danielson said after her round. “I made the cut and I was just really excited. I know there is a lot of birdies out here and just to stay steady and wait for the birdies to come.

“It was really steady all day, even in the wind,” added Danielson, who also plays on the Ladies European Tour. “The wind definitely picked up. It was a big factor today.

“But I stayed steady. I was really happy with my performance. I was kind of bummed about the bogey on the last hole. It happens. It’s a tough golf course with tough hole location(s).”

Danielson didn’t lose sight of the fact she seriously challenged for top honors after being one of two exempt players to start the tourney.

“First, it is awesome to be an exemption, especially because I feel like a local here,” Danielson said. “It’s nice to know I can compete out here. My game is at the level where I can play and be in contention. I’m just so thankful for the opportunity to be here and this can do a lot for my career. So I’m just so thankful for this whole week.”

Jordy LaBarbera, the other exempt player whose late grandfather Andy LaBarbera is a former Marinette, Wisconsin, High School coach, shot 6-over Saturday and did not make the cut after after finishing 8-over. The cut was even-par 144.

With her victory, Liu vaulted from No. 29 to No. 5 on the Volvik Race for the Card standings.

She also earned 500 points toward the Potawatomi Cup from this weekend’s second leg of the four-event competition. The remaining two tourneys on the Symetra Tour schedule that are part of the Potawatomi Cup are the PHC Classic at Brown Deer Golf Course in Milwaukee from Aug. 10-12 and the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship at the Battle Creek Country Club Aug. 17-19.

For full results on the Island Resort Championship, visit online at www.symetratour.com.

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