Kupcho wins Chevron Championship for first major victory

Jennifer Kupcho overcame a back-nine stumble to win the Chevron Championship, securing her maiden major victory and first on the LPGA Tour.

The 24-year-old American, who won the Augusta National Women's Amateur three years ago, carded a two-over 74 in the final round at Mission Hills Country Club in California to finish on 14-under 274, two clear of Jessica Korda.

Kupcho started the day on 16 under, with a six-shot lead after a 64 on Saturday, and extended her advantage to seven following a strong start which saw her hole some lengthy putts as she birdied the second, fourth and fifth either side of a bogey at the third.

Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand was Kupcho's nearest pursuer overnight and played alongside her in the final group, but she endured a frustrating day as she missed numerous chances after sandwiching a bogey at the fourth with birdies at the second and fifth.

That left Korda to mount the strongest challenge after she was buoyed by an eagle at the third where she holed out from just off the fairway.

Kupcho faltered with bogeys at the eighth and 10th before holing another long birdie putt at the 11th, but her lead suddenly looked in danger after back-to-back bogeys at the 13th, where she three-putted, and par-three 14th, where she missed the green left.

Korda, who had birdied the 11th and 12th, was as a result briefly only two behind her fellow American until she missed a short par putt at the 15th which Kupcho then birdied after knocking her approach shot to two feet to regain a four-shot cushion.

There was to be another slip-up from Kupcho at the 17th but, with three shots to spare, she was able to make a three-putt bogey at the 18th before celebrating the victory and then leaping into