© Getty Images Sport – Zhizhao Wu / Stringer
Bailey Tardy secures her first title on the LPGA Tour. The 27-year-old from Atlanta clinched victory at the Blue Bay LPGA with a total of 269 (68 70 66 65, -19) strokes, played at the Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course in Lingshui Bay, Hainan Island, China (par 72).
Roberta Liti finished 44th with a score of 288 (68 78 72 70, par).
Bailey Tardy, results
Tardy, whose resume also includes a victory on the Epson Tour (Copper Rock Championship, 2021), sealed her triumph with a final-round 65 (-7), the best score of the day, featuring an eagle, six birdies, and a bogey.
She finished four strokes ahead of Sarah Schmelzel, who took second place with 273 (-15), sharing the third-round lead with New Zealander Lydia Ko, who ended fourth with 275 (-13), tied with Australian Minjee Lee and Canadian Savannah Grewal.
In third place with 274 (-14) was Japanese player Ayako Furue, while Ruixin Liu took seventh with 276 (-12), leading the pack of 35 Chinese players in the field. Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow finished eighth with 277 (-11).
Roberta Liti, in her second event of the season on the LPGA Tour, earned her spot after a successful 2023 season on the Epson Tour, where she finished eighth in the money list. She climbed from 52nd place with a 70 (-2, featuring five birdies, a bogey, and a double bogey).
She made the cut, redeeming her performance after a 36-hole exit at the Drive On Championship in January. Tardy’s journey in golf began with a remarkable junior career. She earned recognition as an AJGA Rolex All-American for three consecutive years, from 2013 to 2015, and showcased her skills in the Wyndham Cup during those same years.
Her talent was evident early on, as she competed in the 2013 Symetra Tour Championship, finishing tied for 27th, and emerged as the medalist at the 2013 U.S. Girls’ Junior. Her prowess continued as she qualified for the U.S.
Women’s Open in 2014, 2016, and 2017, all while still an amateur. Although her performance in the 2017 edition started promisingly with an opening round of 70, she narrowly missed the cut following a challenging second round of 82.
Additionally, Tardy clinched victory at the 2015 North and South Women’s Amateur. In 2018, she showcased her skills further by securing the title of low amateur at the Georgia Women’s Open, finishing third overall with a stellar performance of 2-under 142.
She followed this achievement by dominating the Georgia State Amateur, leading wire-to-wire with an impressive score of 8-under 208, securing an eight-stroke victory. Transitioning to collegiate golf, Tardy represented the University of Georgia and made an immediate impact, earning the title of 2016 SEC Freshman of the Year.
Her collegiate career also saw her competing in the prestigious Curtis Cup in 2016, where she partnered with Andrea Lee and concluded with a commendable 3–2 record. Despite her efforts, the opposing team from Great Britain and Ireland emerged victorious with an 11.5–8.5 win at Dún Laoghaire Golf Club in Ireland.
