Li wins Twin Bridges, Perth’s Naveed secures T4

Former Perth based golfer, Hira Naveed, has secured a 4th place finish on the Epson Tour at the Twin Bridges Championship in New York.

Naveed finished at 3-under-par, seven shots short of the eventual winner, American winner Lucy Li, who fired a 10 under-par to take the US$30,000 winner’s cheque.

Hira Naveed (Credit: @hiraintherough)

In 2015 Naveed won the Dunes Medal and Victorian Junior Masters before attending the University of Pepperdine in the same year where she achieved an All-American honourable mention in 2019 and turned professional in 2020.

Sunday’s 4th place finish was Naveed’s best to date on the Epson Tour.

Li, 19, won the event wire-to-wire played at the challenging Pinehaven Country Club to widen her hold on the number one spot on the money list and a firm grip on obtaining a LPGA Tour card next season having won earlier this season on the Epson Tour.

“It’s a journey,” said Li. “And it’s different for everyone. But it’s important to boil it down to why you love playing this sport and focus more on that. I transformed my practice to focusing more on that enjoyment of the game.”

Li turned professional in late 2019 and had status on the Symetra Tour in 2020. Li’s first USGA event as a professional was the US Women’s Open where she finished in a tie for 16th place at Olympic Club on June 21. Li back in May 2014, became the youngest to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open at 11 years of age.

Grace Kim finished in a share of 17th position at 1-over-par, with Gabi Ruffels in a share of 30th at 4-over-par. Emily Mahar was the next best Aussie in a share of 41st position, with Stephanie Na missing the weekend.