HE WINS INAUGURAL PRASCO CHARITY CHAMPIONSHIP

MAINEVILLE, Ohio — Epson Tour rookie Muni He (Chengdu, China) capped off a wire-to-wire victory in the inaugural Prasco Charity Championship at TPC River’s Bend with a bogey-free, 5-under par 67 final round today.

The 15-under par overall performance landed the first professional title for He. It also marks He down in history, as she claims the crown at the first LPGA Tour family event contested at a course owned and operated by the PGA TOUR.

“Feels amazing, I mean it’s my first win on the Epson Tour,” said He. “It’s so special that I was able to do it at such a beautiful golf course and with such great sponsors around us.”

After spending two semesters at the University of Southern California (USC), He turned pro in December. The transition from amateur to professional He said has proved to be difficult, even though she only missed the cut on three occasions over her first nine career Epson Tour starts.

Now in the winner’s circle, this moment is a culmination of all the work the 19-year-old has devoted to improving her game.

“It proves to me that if I stay consistent and play my best, I’m able to hold up a pretty good position,” said He, who collected a $15,000 winner’s check after raising the Prasco Charity Championship trophy. “Everyone out here is so talented so sometimes my best may not be enough. All that really matters is I’m giving it my best every single day.”

When she walked off No. 18 green, He had turned in a near-perfect showing from start to finish. She collected 13 birdies and two eagles, with only one blemish—a double bogey on No. 13 in the second round.

Furthermore, He hit 39-of-42 fairways, averaged 28 putts per round and found 45-of-54 greens in regulation. Playing in the final pairing today may have only added another level to the pressure she already faced, with heat index readings soaring well over the 100-degree threshold, but He passed the test with flying colors.

“It’s always nerve-racking being in the last group and having people come out to watch you play,” He said. “With my dad being on the bag, it has been a lot easier than it would have been without him. The front nine I had a lot of birdie opportunities that I missed, probably due to nerves. Eventually, the eagle [on 9] helped to soothe it all away.”

The other half of the last group off No. 1 tee this afternoon was Becca Huffer (Denver, Colorado). She signed a 2-under par 70 scorecard today to finish in solo second, a career-best result for the University of Notre Dame alumna.

“It was a lot of fun, Muni was playing really great today,” said Huffer, who recorded four birdies, an eagle, two bogeys and a double bogey in the final round. “Kind of seeing if I could get some more birdies going and give a bit of pressure to her, but she was playing awesome. I’m feeling really good about my game, especially going into the second half of the season.”

Next week, the official qualifying Tour of the LPGA takes a hiatus, but will return for a three-week stretch starting with the Donald Ross Classic in French Lick, Ind., at French Lick Resort from July 12-14.

VOLVIK RACE FOR THE CARD STANDINGS

Another tournament in the books means another juggling act when it comes to the Volvik Race for the Card top-10, except not this week.

Following her win and $15,000 winner’s check, Muni He moves up 34 spots to No. 13, having earned $24,044 through 10 events. Here is a look at the current top-10 heading into the week off and before the 11th stop on the road to the LPGA:

Jenny Haglund (Karlstad, Sweden) - $49,751
Dottie Ardina (Laguna, Philippines) - $40,305
Elizabeth Szokol (Winnetka, Illinois) - $38,869
Isi Gabsa (Munich, Germany) - $37,467
Ruixin Liu (Dalian, China) - $37,301
Stephanie Meadow (Jordanstown, Northern Ireland) - $36,995
Vicky Hurst (Melbourne, Florida) - $34,007
Pajaree Anannarukarn (Bangkok, Thailand) - $30,193
Min Seo Kwak (Seoul, Republic of Korea) - $27,334
Maia Schechter (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) - $24,984

MUNI HE WINNER'S INTERVIEW

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