LPGA Veteran Marina Alex Edges Top Players to Win Palos Verdes Championship

Lexi Thompson after attempting eagle putt on hole #16 in a practice round, at the Palos Verdes Championship, at Palos Verdes Golf Club, in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., on April 26, 2022. Nhat Hoang/The Epoch Times

PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif.—Marina Alex won her second LPGA tournament at the Palos Verdes Championship on Sunday with a score of 274 (70–68–70–66), 10-under-par, edging out the World No. 1 Jin Young Ko by one stroke, both shooting five-under in the final round.

“I didn’t think there was even a remote possibility that I was going to win ever again,” Alex declared following the win. “I didn’t know how much longer I really wanted to be golfing ever again.”

The 31-year-old tour veteran since 2014 added, “I’m getting older. My back has been a struggle. I went into this year [not knowing] how many more years I’m going to play.”

A 2019 U.S. Solheim Cup Team member, Alex began the final round three strokes behind 54-hole leader Hannah Green, struggling with a bogey on the par-four third hole.

“Bogeys are weird, and I feel like people get uncomfortable at different points in the round,” said Alex . “I was almost glad that I got off to a little bit of a rocky start because I was like, you know what? I got all that anxious anxiety, whatever kind of nervous energy out of my system.”

Marina Alex smiles in front of the trophy in celebration of victory during the final round of the Palos Verdes Championship presented by Bank of America at Palos Verdes Golf Club, in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., on May 1, 2022. Harry How/Getty Images

She would rally to shoot the second lowest final round of 5-under with birdies on holes #5, #7, #8, #11, and #12, and took the lead on #16.

Alex was raised in Wayne, New Jersey, winning high school state titles in 2007 and 2008. She played college golf at Vanderbilt University, winning the 2010 SEC Championship and qualifying for the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open as an amateur. 

Turning professional in 2012 after the NCAA Championship, Alex played on the Symmetry Tour for two years, finishing third on the money list in 2013 to earn her Tour card for 2014. Her first career victory came at the 2018 Cambia Portland Classic.

Alex came into Palos Verdes ranked #61 in the world, and has improved her game working with swing coach Claude Harmon III for the past year; she hit nine of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens on Sunday.

“The hard work has paid off,” said Alex. “I wasn’t sure if this would ever happen again if I’m being perfectly honest. It’s been tough. We’re all getting older. I’m getting older. There are so many amazing players out here. The competition is really, really difficult.

Alex also had to overcome a a herniated disk in her lower back, resulting from over-practicing during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

“I just want to give it my absolute best this year and put every single opportunity into playing and putting myself in contention and trying to win tournaments. It’s amazing that it’s happened.”

World Rolex Rankings No. 1 Ko of South Korea finished second, posting the high score of -9 before Alex’s birdie on hole #16.

World No. 1 Jin Young Ko waves to the crowd while walking up the final hole at the Palos Verdes Championship at Palos Verdes Golf Club in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., on May 1, 2022. Nhat Hoang/The Epoch Times

The thirteen-time LPGA Tour winner looks to be back in form having finished 21st in last week’s DIO Implant LA Open, after a quadruple-bogey that took her out of the lead.

Ko stated that she just wants to enjoy herself on the golf course and take the focus away from just winning.

She started the tournament with the lowest round of 64, but followed with a 72 and 73, before getting in contention in the final round; on Sunday, Ko hit all 14 fairways, and 16 of 18 greens in regulation, with 31 total putts.

“I played early today so I guessed today is going to be less windy than the first three days, so it could be a chance to win if I play really well,” said Ko. “I play really well in front nine, and then it was really fun to play with Bronte [Law].”

Tied for third at–8 under, 276, are No. 3 Lydia Ko of New Zealand and American Megan Khang.

Hannah Green (R) of Australia and Lydia Ko of New Zealand watch a shot on the fourth fairway during the third round of the Palos Verdes Championship Presented by Bank of America at Palos Verdes Golf Club, in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., on April 30, 2022. Harry How/Getty Images

Four players tied for fifth, including overnight leader Hannah Green of Australia, who finished second at the LA Open last week, UCLA alum Ryann O'Toole, Annie Park of USC, and Andrea Lee of nearby Hermosa Beach.

Lee recently won on the Epson Tour at the Casino Del Sol Golf Classic for her first professional victory, and received a sponsor’s exemption to compete at Palos Verdes, where she is an honorary member.

“This whole week was kind of like a dream,” said Lee. “It’s been incredibly special to have some of my family out here following, friends just around the South Bay and LA area.”

“Top 10 finish feels amazing.”

Lee was the most decorated golfer in Stanford history, winning nine individual titles and ranked at the top of the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings.

Marina Alex hugs Andrea Lee at the end of their rounds on the 18th green after finishing as the leader at 10-under-par during the final round of the Palos Verdes Championship presented by Bank of America at Palos Verdes Golf Club in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., on May 1, 2022. Harry How/Getty Images

The 16-year-old National Women’s Amateur winner, Anna Davis of Spring Valley east of San Diego, made the cut and ended with a final round of 76 to finish 70th in her first LPGA Tour start.

“It’s been really fun,” said Davis. “Super good experience, and it’s something I look forward to doing in my future. So, glad that I got to see a little sneak peek this week.”

The LPGA Tour moves to Clifton, New Jersey, for the Cognizant Founders Cup from May 12–15, with Ko as the defending champion.