Championship defenses are a regular occurrence on the LPGA and PGA Tours, but on the Epson Tour, they’re a rarer and more meaningful opportunity. Winning often signals a strong chance of earning LPGA Tour status for the following season, and for Daniela Iacobelli, the 2024 Hartford HealthCare Women’s Championship title did just that.

The veteran finished No. 13 in the 2024 Race for the Card, earning category 16 membership for the 2025 season. Iacobelli’s ability to play this week was based on her performances on the LPGA Tour earlier in the season; the better she plays, the more starts she gets. Unfortunately, it has not been the season the 37-year-old has hoped for, but recent success at the highest level has reignited her momentum.

“It sucked having an off week, because you just want to keep that going. I was like, ‘Give me four or five more,’” Iacobelli said. “I don't really have any bad thoughts in my brain because the last week I played, I played good. So, just keep it rolling.”

A five-time winner on the Epson Tour, Iacobelli will be defending a title on the LPGA’s Official Qualifying Tour for just the second time. Her previous title defense came at the 2023 Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic after a 2022 victory; she finished T29 that week in a tournament shortened to 36 holes due to dangerous weather. Still, the Florida native says she’s not feeling any added pressure heading into the first round in Connecticut.

“No. Last year was last year. I mean, it was cool. I did what I needed to do. New year, right?” said Iacobelli. “It's really hard to defend. I know that. I've tried that. I haven't done that. Let's check in on Sunday.”

During her 2024 victory, Iacobelli didn’t post a single round over 67 and broke the 54-hole scoring record by five shots. Now, the Hartford HealthCare Women’s Championship presented by Munich Re has expanded to a 72-hole format, one of just four such events on the Epson Tour, and Iacobelli is taking note.

“Now that they’re doing a four-day event, we’re starting to replicate the LPGA a bit more,” she said. “We’re getting players used to what they’ll experience when they make it to the LPGA, so that’s a huge step.”

The defending champion tees off Thursday at 2:16 p.m. local time. Follow along with live scoring here.

Daniela Iacobelli Set to Defend Her Title at the Hartford HealthCare Women’s Championship presented by Munich Re

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