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THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

2021 Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open Champion, University of Illinois Alum Tristyn Nowlin.

FOUR…

Because this time second place was out of the question, and Tristyn Nowlin found a way to win.

But victory didn’t come easy. Because in golf it rarely does.

Round 3 started on Wednesday morning with Nowlin holding a 1 shot lead, over Ueakarn (Louk-key) Songprasert. But as the front nine progressed, things went back and forth until at the turn, both players were tied. But that didn’t last. Because Nowlin made birdie on the short par 4 10th hole, and went back up by 1 shot.

Tristyn Nowlin on 18-her second shot on the par 5.

But Songprasert wasn’t finished. Because her birdie on the par 5, 15th hole had the players tied again.

But Nowlin immediately answered on the par 4,16th with a birdie, her lead now back to 1 shot.

IT BECAME 2 shots after Songprasert hit her tee shot on the par 3, 17th hole to nine feet. But her first putt sailed past the hole and she lipped-out the come back putt and ended up with bogey 4. With Nowlin in for par, the lead was back to two shots heading into the 18th hole.

Both players had birdie putts between 15-20 feet. But neither converted, and both made par. Nowlin closed with a 2 under par 70 (-8 ) 208 for the championship. Songprasert shot a final round 71-for her 54 hole total of (-6) 210.

CLICK HERE TO hear the full interview with 2021 IWO Champion Tristyn Nowlin.

Crystal Wang a senior at the university of Illinois was the low-amateur, finishing 4 shots back of her former Illini teammate Nowlin. Emma Carpenter the 18-hole leader, was the only other player finishing under par for the championship at -2 (214).

Mistwood GC Director of Golf Andy Mickelson, Crystal Wang (low amateur) and IPGA Executive Director Carrie Williams (L-R)

MISTWOOD teaching professional and two-time past champion Nicole Jeray finished in 10th place. But Jeray said she came away from the tournament ready, for next weeks U.S. Senior Women’s Open qualifier at Midlothian Country Club.

Nowlin who came into the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open, after winning the Michigan Women’s Open. She now heads home to Kentucky to play in her home state Kentucky Women’s Open, trying to make it three wins a in a row. After Kentucky, Nowlin will play in the Tennessee Women’s Open, and then the Florida Women’s Open. With the goal of making enough money to play in the Symetra Tour Q-School that starts in California next month.

CLICK HERE to hear the full interview with IWO runner-up Ueakarn (Louk-Key) Songprasert.

For a full recap on the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, visit IPGA.com.