P.E.I.'s Lorie Kane wins windy Legends Event in Fort Myers
'I knew with the wind, it was going to be tough, and putting was very difficult'
Maybe it was Lorie Kane's history on P.E.I.'s breezy links that helped her take the win Sunday in high winds at the Legends Tour portion of the Chico's Patty Berg Memorial in Fort Myers, Fla.
Kane, 51, started the final round tied with six others at even-par 72, building a three-stroke lead, squandering it, then regaining the lead on the back nine at Cypress Lake Country Club as winds between 32 and 40 kilometres and hour buffeted the course, with gusts reaching 48, according to a written release on the LPGA site.
Kane finished at one-under 71 for a 36-hole total of one-under 143, easing past co-runners-up Barb Mucha and Jane Crafter, who tied for second at 2-over 146.
"I knew with the wind, it was going to be tough, and putting was very difficult," said Kane, who was the only Legends Tour player under par for the tournament.
"I chose not to look at any leaderboards. I wanted to just hit solid shots and give myself as many chances as I could."
Kane clinched the tournament with a par on the final hole.
"I was thinking about the wins I've had in the past and tried to stay within myself," said Kane. "You can only control what you do."
Sweden's Madelene Sagstrom won the Symetra Tour portion of the event — members of the Legends Tour and Symetra Tours played their events simultaneously.
Sagstrom finished at 9-under 279, carding a final round of 3-over 75 to edge runner-up Sophia Popov of Germany by one shot at 8-under 280.
"There are a lot of young, talented players here who can learn from the Legends," said Kane, who was paired with fellow Canadian Sara-Maude Juneau in Saturday's round.
"I appreciated being mentored and now I like to share and give back."