Jennifer Kupcho Gets Candid After Ending 3-Year Drought
The ShopRite LPGA Classic once again lived up to its legacy, delivering thrilling moments on a rain-soaked Seaview Bay Course in Galloway, New Jersey. Known as a 54-hole sprint, the event has a strong tradition of major champions taking the crown 20 in the last 27 editions and this year was no different.
Advertisement
Jennifer Kupcho clinched her fourth LPGA title with a closing 5-under 66, finishing at 15-under 198, one shot ahead of South Korea's Ilhee Lee.
The 28-year-old golfer hadn't won since her three-title run in 2022. She entered the week following a missed cut at the U.S. Women's Open but quickly rebounded.
Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
"So like random stuff like that just to like keep my mind off of it," Kupcho said.
At no.2 of the tournament, Ilhee Lee was playing her first event of 2025 and reminded everyone of her talent despite limited play in recent years. Her 68 wasn't quite enough, but she left a mark with her inspiring comeback story.
Kupcho said she stayed in her zone and was simply trying to hit a target. 'I think in my mind I had set on 14 under, so I was really just trying to get to that number. Obviously did a little better,' she said per ESPN.
Advertisement
Even while leading, she found ways to lighten the mood. 'Halfway through the round we were trying to figure out the difference between an otter and a beaver,' Kupcho laughed. 'Just random stuff like that to keep my mind off it.'
Earlier this year, Kupcho had tough conversations with her support team. 'I felt like I had completely lost what I was doing,' she admitted. But on Sunday, with the rain falling and nerves calm, she rediscovered her rhythm, and her smile.
Related: World's No. 1 LPGA Golfer Sends Clear Message Ahead of Final Round of ShopRite Classic
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
4 minutes ago
- USA Today
Wisconsin alumnus included in ESPN's top off-ball linebacker ranking for 2025 NFL season
Former Wisconsin football standout Zack Baun was included in ESPN's list of the top 10 off-ball linebackers ahead of the 2025 NFL season earlier this month. Baun is the third former Badger to receive a position on the outlet's preseason positional rankings, joining two-time Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor (running backs) and defensive legend T.J. Watt (edge rushers). The off-ball linebacker list is powered by a feedback from dozens of NFL league executives, coaches and scouts, which ESPN then parlays into a top 10 ranking based on their vote totals, composite average position and information from interviews. Following that method, the outlet listed Baun as the No. 3 off-ball linebacker in the NFL ahead of this coming season. At No. 3, Baun is sandwiched between Baltimore Ravens superstar Roquan Smith (No. 2) and Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl winner Nick Bolton (No. 4). Four-time first-team All-Pro Fred Warner earned the top spot, followed by Washington Commanders' rising star Frankie Luvu (No. 5), Chicago Bear Tremaine Edmunds (No. 6), Buccaneers veteran Lavonte David (No. 7), second-year Dallas Cowboy DeMarvarion Overshown (No. 8), Denver Bronco Dre Greenlaw (No. 9) and New York Jet Quincy Williams (No. 10). ProFootballFocus' list of the top 32 linebackers ahead of 2025 had Baun at No. 2 behind only Warner, who is widely considered the best linebacker of his decade. Entering his second year in Philadelphia, it appears as if Baun is poised to become a household name at this stage of his career. The Wisconsin native's numbers convey the same message. In 16 starts for the Eagles, who hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in a dominant win over the Chiefs this winter, the former Badger registered 151 tackles, 11 for loss, five quarterback hits, 3 1/2 sacks, four pass deflections, five forced fumbles and an interception. By the season's end, Baun was named a first-team All-Pro, a Pro Bowler and a finalist for the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award alongside T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson and Patrick Surtain II (winner). In the postseason, Baun was responsible for 33 total tackles (20 solo), two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one forced fumble across four playoff games. In Super Bowl 59, he notched a team-best seven tackles (three solo) and a crucial interception on three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. Baun's explosive year led to a three-year, $51 million contract extension with Philadelphia this offseason. Baun's Eagles will begin their season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 4 at Lincoln Financial Field. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
New York Times
35 minutes ago
- New York Times
How to watch Top Rank Boxing's TV finale: Xander Zayas, Jorge Garcia battle for world title
Rising Puerto Rican star Xander Zayas will take on Mexican veteran Jorge Garcia this Saturday at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Perhaps more significant after the final bell, which will crown a new WBO junior middleweight world champion, is that this main event will be the final Top Rank boxing show on ESPN. Advertisement Here's how to watch it live. Live coverage is also available on ESPN+. Top Rank and ESPN decided to have their final fight card together, showcasing perhaps their hottest prospect in the former's half-century of existence as a boxing promotion. In 2019, then 16-year-old Zayas became the youngest signee in Top Rank history, a company that has promoted greats like Muhammad Ali and Manny Pacquiao. Now 22, Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs) looks to win his first world title since turning pro six years ago. He faces upset-minded 28-year-old Garcia (33-4, 26 KOs). On the undercard is 2023 Ring Magazine Prospect of the Year Bruce 'Shu Shu' Carrington (15-0, 9 KOs). Carrington, 28, takes on Mateus Heita for the WBC interim featherweight world title. After Saturday's fights, it will be the first time in more than 80 years that boxing will not be shown on linear television in the United States. The first boxing TV broadcast in U.S. history was in 1939, a heavyweight bout between Max Baer and Lou Nova. Top Rank was the last major boxing promotion in the country that had a media rights deal with a 'mainstream' TV network. The boxing company's agreement with ESPN expires in August after the parties reached a seven-year deal in 2018. In those seven years, ESPN broadcast some of the biggest fights in the sport's history, including the second and third heavyweight title fights between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. Other boxing promotions — such as Golden Boy, Premier Boxing Champions and Matchroom — have switched to streaming platforms like DAZN, Amazon Prime and Netflix to show their respective fighters. Top Rank has yet to announce a new broadcasting partner. Streaming and ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Xander Zayas: Al Bello/ Getty Images)
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Where to watch UFC Abu Dhabi: Whittaker vs. de Ridder live stream, start time more for Fight Night card
Robert Whittaker returns to Abu Dhabi looking for a win, while Reinier de Ridder attempts to continue to climb up the ladder in the middleweight division. Here's how to watch UFC Abu Dhabi, including streaming options to catch the preliminaries and the main card. Where to watch UFC Abu Dhabi: Whittaker vs. de Ridder Channel: ABC Live stream: Fubo | ESPN+ The event is on ABC. Cord-cutters can also stream the fight on Fubo, which is currently offering a free trial. Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.) Fight fans can also watch UFC Abu Dhabi on ESPN+. Stream over 30,000 live events from the best leagues in the world, including PGA Tour, WNBA, UFC and more. Plus, access the full 30 for 30 library and ESPN Originals featuring the top names in sports. What time is UFC Abu Dhabi on today? Date: Saturday, July 26 Start time: 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. ET prelims) | 12 p.m. PT Location: Etihad Arena - Abu Dhabi, UAE The main card for UFC Abu Dhabi begins at 3 p.m. ET, with the prelims starting at 12 p.m. ET. Whittaker and de Ridder should make their way to the octagon around 6 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last. Whittaker (26-8) won the UFC middleweight title in 2017 but lost it against Israel Adesanya in 2019. Since then, he has gone 6-3 in his last nine fights and is 2-2 in his last four. "The Reaper" last fought in October, in Abu Dhabi, with Khamzat Chimaev beating him while dislocating his jaw. The Aussie born in New Zealand wants to hold gold again. However, at 34, he knows he's close to hanging up the gloves. A win against de Ridder would start a path that could potentially end in glory. "Four fights," Whittaker told FOX Sports Australia via MMA Fighting. "I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I want four more, that's me. I see the stepping stones needed to do what I want to do. Four fights gets me into that title shot, gets me into a position to finish on top, to have that fairy tale ending. I'm working towards it." fubo De Ridder (20-2) is a former ONE middleweight and light heavyweight champion. The Dutch fighter is 3-0 with three finishes to start his UFC career, taking out Bo Nickal in May. "The Dutch Knight" returns to Abu Dhabi for the first time in a year, the last fight before entering the octagon. To insert himself into the top five at middleweight, de Ridder looks to make a statement against a former UFC champion. "The pressure is the most important thing for me," De Ridder told MMA Junkie. "I've got to put pressure on him. I've got to bring the heat early because I cannot let him move. I cannot let him see what's happening. I cannot let him play. "He likes to bounce. He likes to look, and I'm sure I'm going to take him down. It's what I like the most, and I have to put him on his ass at least once. But we'll see if I can do damage meanwhile before." UFC Abu Dhabi fight card Main Card Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder; Middleweights Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee; Bantamweights Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov; Bantamweights Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Marc-Andre Barriault; Middleweights Prelims Nikita Krylov vs. Bogdan Guskov; Light Heavyweights Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci; Strawweights Muslim Salikhov vs. Carlos Leal; Welterweights İbo Aslan vs. Billy Elekana; Light Heavyweights Martin Buday vs. Marcus Buchecha; Heavyweights Mohammad Yahya vs. Steven Nguyen; Featherweights Davey Grant vs. Da'Mon Blackshear; Bantamweights
