18 June 2020: The Cactus Tour continues to roll forward producing week after week of scintillating women’s golf. The 22nd leg witnessed yet another dominant performance from Mina Harigae, who coasted home to a 14-stroke victory. She won the previous event too with a 16-stroke margin. Yesterday’s win made four in four for the Californian golfer; she skipped the 20th leg. Nikita Arjun finished in T21 with an even 72 in the third and final round at the Talking Stick North Course in Scottsdale, Arizona. Anika Varma also finished in T21 with a 75 on Wednesday, the teenager also shot an even 72 in the second round.
Harigae went out in 31 strokes on her way to an impressive 63 to clinch another massive victory. She finished the week with scores of 63-66-63, 24-under 192. Sophia Popov, a three-time winner this season also continued her good run, securing another runner-up finish. The German shot a brilliant 65, moving to 10-under for the week. It was the best round for her following through on 71-70 in the opening two rounds.
Meghan Royal was the low amateur yet again. She made 66 in the final round for a 7-under total of 209. Royal finished tied for third with Riley Rennell (67) and Elizabeth Prior (70).
Nikita showed tremendous character, fighting her way back to parity despite double bogeys on the third and fourth holes. She was four under through her last twelve holes in a remarkable recovery from the early stumbles. The 26-year-old made birdies at the 7th, 8th, 11th and 16th holes. But the biggest highlight of her round came at the par-5 17th where she made an eagle to finish in glorious style.
15-year-old Anika continued to show maturity and class as she pursues valuable experience from the Arizona swing. She made two birdies in the first three holes of the final round, going out in an elegant 34 strokes. But a double at the 12th hole and three other bogeys meant that she returned to the clubhouse with a 41, to settle for a tie in 21st place with Nikita.
