MILLION
SOLHEIM SPOTLIGHT
TOP-10 FINISHES IN 2024
7
LPGA TOURNAMENT WIN AT THE CPKC WOMEN ’ S OPEN
ABOVE : Lauren Coughlin LEFT : Nelly Korda worked in anonymity to quietly become a tournament contender .
Coughlin had tied for sixth at the 2023 Canadian tournament , so the timing seemed right in 2024 to make another charge north of the border in hopes of earning her spot on this year ’ s Solheim Cup team . The former University of Virginia ACC Player of the Year led that July event for two rounds and entered the final round one shot off the lead , before closing out the victory by two strokes .
“ As the year progressed , I started seeing myself [ winning ],” said Coughlin , 31 , a two-time VSGA Women ’ s Amateur champion . “ The Chevron Championship was a huge turning point , and even Evian was a huge learning opportunity . I think I ’ ve learned a ton from all the different times I put myself in position this year .”
Coughlin had to quiet her swirling brain as she headed into the Canadian event . In the back of her mind was the importance of winning her first LPGA tournament because it was what she has worked for since joining the Tour as a rookie in 2018 . She had bounced back and forth between the LPGA and Epson Tours for a few years before settling full time on the LPGA Tour in 2021 and 2022 . Her LPGA path also had included a pep talk from former Cavaliers coach Kim Lewellen , who encouraged her to just keep playing .
“ A lot of people believed in me when I didn ’ t , and I wouldn ’ t be where I am without them ,” she said .
NEW BAG MAN
In addition , Coughlin found herself “ between caddies ” a few times this season , so her husband , John Pond , carried her bag for both of her top-four major championship finishes . There was an element of comfort with Pond on the bag , but Coughlin took another important step to push her game forward .
She hired veteran LPGA caddie Terry McNamara , who won 72 tournaments
2024 PRIZE EARNINGS
TOP-10 FINISHES IN 2024
TOURNAMENT WINS IN 2024
$ 3 +
MILLION
7 6
A record-setting five consecutive wins and six victories in seven consecutive starts
USGA ( 2 )
24 V IRGINIA G OLFER | S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2024 vsga . org