Five days. Seven rounds. More than 120 holes. One winner.

With a 3-foot putt on No. 17, American Ally Ewing won the inaugural Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play Hosted by Shadow Creek, taking a 2-and-1 victory over Germany’s Sophia Popov for her second career LPGA Tour title.

Ewing and Popov played through blazing hot conditions, with temperatures all week in the upper 90s, wowing the small gallery of invited family and guests with a display of world-class golf on a similarly world-class layout at Shadow Creek.

“It was exhausting,” said Ewing, who lost 2&1 to Leona Maguire in her first round-robin match in group 13 before going on to beat Christina Kim and Jenifer Kupcho to top the group.

“I think I was limping in on the finish line really. Fatigue was definitely a factor. Four rounds of stroke play, 18, 18, 18, 18 is a gruelling week, especially if you're in contention,” said Ewing, who celebrated her first wedding anniversary today with husband Charlie Ewing, who was in the gallery. “This week was unlike any other. I'm definitely going to have to tape up the feet I think for another week, but well worth it.”

In the battle of two likely Solheim Cup players, Ewing struck first, winning the second hole at par to go 1 up. She converted birdie at No. 6 to go 2 up, a lead she carried through the 10th hole. At No. 11, Popov won with a par, giving Ewing a 1-up lead that she held through No. 13.

At No. 14, the momentum swung in Ewing’s favour. From the front of the green, Ewing drained a 62-foot birdie putt and when Popov’s attempt slid by to the right, Ewing regained her 2-up lead. 

“Made a few in the 40, 45-foot range but 60-footers you don't see go in very often,” said Ewing. “Yeah, it was a blessing at the right time.”

Popov was sitting far closer to the hole than Ewing, saying that she felt she had the advantage on the hole. When that putt fell, Popov knew that the moment was going to fuel Ewing’s fire.

“I think if it hadn't hit the hole, could have been maybe 5, 6 feet by and I think the scenario is totally different,” said Popov, who had her parents, brother, sister-in-law and three nieces in the gallery, as well as best friend and fellow LPGA Tour Member Anne van Dam. “But she made that putt, and I think for me personally, it was probably, especially after playing that many holes, I think it was just a real momentum killer, a little bit of a dagger in the heart.”

Popov’s tee shot at No. 15 found a hazard to the left, giving her an unplayable lie. Ewing then sent her second shot into the hazard to the right and with one foot in the water, sent her ball into the opposite rough before chipping out to 4 feet. Popov scrambled for bogey, with her 5-foot putt punctuated by a fist bump, but Ewing matched Popov’s bogey to maintain the 2-up advantage.

Ewing’s tee shot at the par-3 17th went in the water, leaving the door wide open for Popov. But Popov’s tee shot plugged in the left greenside bunker, and she blasted out clear across the green into the rear rough. With Ewing on the green for double-bogey, Popov put too much into her chip, hitting the green just shy of the hole but rolling 15 feet past. She failed to convert the comebacker, and Ewing knocked in a nervy 3-footer to take her second LPGA Tour title on her 122nd hole of the championship.

"It's a very difficult green to hit, especially as firm as it is. Maybe under different circumstances where the green was a little bit softer it might have led to maybe some more favourable bounces," said Ewing. "But, yeah, I didn't foresee a 5 getting it done, but it did, and it's just a tough hole. That's what it is. Like you said, it's match play. I still had to make a 3- or 4-footer to get it done, and rolled it in."

ALLY AND CHARLIE EWING OFF TO AMAZING WINNER’S EXPERIENCE

Following her victory at the Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play Hosted by Shadow Creek, Ally Ewing and her husband Charlie were in for the experience of a lifetime courtesy of title sponsor Bank of Hope and host venue MGM Resorts. The husband-and-wife duo, celebrating their first anniversary today, was whisked away to the Bellagio in a Rolls Royce. Once there, they will watch the famed Bellagio fountain show from a boat on the water, with the fountain display choreographed to a song of her choosing. After dinner at Prime Steakhouse and a night in a private suite, they’ll be joined on Monday by caddie Dan Chapman for a flight on the MGM corporate jet to San Francisco for the 76th U.S. Women’s Open.

“They've run the golf tournament really, really well, and I think they've set a pretty high standard for just the special treatment that we have gotten this week,” said Ewing. “It is definitely a unique event, and I think players are going to be super excited to come back with how we've been treated.”

ALL ABOUT FAMILY FOR SOPHIA POPOV

Seven rounds over five days. The competitor in Sophia Popov wanted to win. The human in her quickly relinquished the sting of a runner-up finish at the inaugural Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play Hosted by Shadow Creek when she was greeted by the loving embrace of family, especially the beaming smiles of her three nieces, walking off the 17th green.

“I honestly couldn't have hoped for a better week,” said Popov. “Yeah, I could have topped it off with a win, but pretty sure when I look at them, they're proud regardless. I'm just lucky to be able to hug my nieces. She [Liv] said it was really boring today, so obviously it wasn't that important to her. Priorities are different, and that's what I love them for. I'm a very, very lucky person with the family I have.”

Facing a 2-down deficit on 17 tee, Popov needed to win the hole to take the championship match to No. 18. Ally Ewing dunked her first shot in the water off the tee then found the greenside bunker. The door was open for Popov, who ended up in the same bunker before chipping over the green and failing to get up and down.

The fatigue of 71 competitive holes over the last two days was evident, not to mention the five days of gruelling competition between round robin and bracket play.

“I think ability-wise, I had plenty to win today. I hit some shots out of fatigue and made some mistakes because I was definitely tired from all the rounds that I've played and having to go into overtime [with Inbee yesterday] and maybe playing a few more holes than Ally did,” Popov said. “There were a couple of key moments where I could have turned it around and she made clutch shots. She played great and is a deserving winner.

“Every time I thought I have a chance, she kind of said, ‘Nope,’ and that’s the thing with match play.”

JUTANUGARN TAKES THIRD AFTER FENG CONCEDES IN CONSOLATION MATCH

Following the morning’s semifinal round, Shanshan Feng chose to concede the consolation match, giving third place to her opponent Ariya Jutanugarn. Feng cited the heat and conserving her energy for next week’s major championship as reasons behind her decision.

“I think I made the right decision for myself because I'm really, really tired after finishing six rounds in five days, let's say four and a half days,” said Feng. “If I play 18 more, I don't know how I will do. I might fall over on the course. I don't think I should push myself that bad. You know, if I got in the top two, of course, yes, I would play until I fall down on the course. But I lost the match in the morning, and I think it's better idea just to get rested after this. And then next week is the U.S. Open coming up. It's a very hilly and challenging course, so, yeah, I just want to be well-rested and protect myself.”

Feng won her Wednesday match on the 17th hole, her only match that did not reach No. 18. Two of her matches went to extra holes, including a 22-hole marathon victory over Brittany Altomare in the Round of 16. In total through the semifinals, Feng played 112 holes across six matches and sudden-death playoffs, compared to 105 for Ewing, 99 for Popov and 96 for Jutanugarn.

SEMIFINALS RECAPS

Ally Ewing (20) def. Ariya Jutanugarn (16), 3 and 2

A year ago today, Ally Ewing was getting married. Today, she’ll compete in the championship match at the Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play Hosted by Shadow Creek.

The Mississippi State University alumna kicked off her anniversary celebrations with a 3-and-2 victory over Ariya Jutanugarn this morning. Ewing never trailed in the match.

“It’s great that he [husband Charlie] is here,” said Ewing. “He has a super busy job as a college golf coach [at Mississippi State] and recruiting is opening up pretty soon. Thankfully, he can be here this week. Playing well and having him here has been great.”

It was the first time all week at Shadow Creek, between group play and bracket play, that Ewing did not face a deficit in her match. She will use all the experiences heading into the finals.

“I would probably say in some shape and form, I played a little more tentatively,” Ewing said. “I didn't make a very good swing [on 15] but I knew I was in the driver's seat, 4-up with four holes to play. On 16, I hit my drive a little left and didn't hit a very good punch shot from there. Told myself if I could get a ball up next to the green for a birdie putt, it might apply a little pressure knowing if I can two-putt she has to for sure birdie. If I take care of the shots I need to and stay in my own lane, kind of like I have all week, I should be able to pull out the win.”

Ewing also understands fatigue will be a big factor when she tees it up against Sophia Popov.

“Let's just say it's really hot. I'm going through my shoes because I'm sweating, and I have never had my feet this taped up from all the elevation changes, side-hill walks, uphill walks, hot temperatures, 36-hole days. That's not something we do very often on the LPGA,” said Ewing, a Rolex First-Time Winner at the 2020 Drive On Championship at Reynolds Lake Oconee. “It's just a little bit different of a grind this week. Certainly, when you signed up for the week, you said, ‘Hey, if I can play all those holes, then it is going to be well worth it.’ I need to be a little bit mentally sharp in the afternoon.” 

Sophia Popov (15) def. Shanshan Feng (19), 1 up

The second semifinal match at the Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play Hosted by Shadow Creek was a close-fought affair between Sophia Popov and Shanshan Feng. Feng won the first hole with par to go 1 up and held a 2-up advantage through 11 holes but made a bogey at No. 12 to open the door for Popov. 

The German major champion tied the match with a birdie at No. 13 and took the lead with a par at No. 17, earning the victory with a short birdie putt to tie on No. 18.

“I left myself so many nail-biters coming down the stretch,” said Popov. “I think I had to make, feels like four or five 5-footers to stay in it, and then about a 6-footer at the end to win the match. I think it's just sigh of relief that it's over and that I was able to pull through.”

While general spectators are still not permitted on the course, players have been able to invite family and friends to enjoy the spectacular Shadow Creek layout. Popov’s parents have followed her every step of the way, as have her brother, his wife and their three daughters. Popov has called the girls her lucky charms and even had little Liviana join her at the microphone for her post-round interview. 

I never have them out, so even for my first win overseas I didn't have anyone out there, except for my boyfriend Max (Mehles) obviously, and now he's the one person missing, which is very sad because I would love to have him here,” said Popov, with Liviana clutching at her legs. “Other than that, just amazing to have the whole family out, and they give me so much energy. No matter, that's the greatest part. The outcome doesn't matter. These girls will hug me anyway, love me anyway, and vice versa.”