Rarick Shoots 67 in Hawaii for First LPGA Win

Cindy Rarick birdied two of the final three holes Saturday to shoot a five-under-par 67 and win the $300,000 Tsumura Hawaiian Ladies Open golf tournament.

The Tucson native, who played golf at the University of Hawaii, came from one shot off the pace to gain her first Ladies Professional Golfers Assn. victory by two shots over Jane Geddes.

Rarick tied the low round of the tournament Saturday under ideal playing conditions as she earned $45,000 for winning the 54-hole tournament.

“I never had so many people come up and say, ‘We’re rooting for you,’ ” Rarick said. “I’ve had lots of support from lots of friends. It’s been a fantastic week.”

Alice Ritzman, co-leader entering the final day, held a one-shot lead over Rarick midway though the round. The gap widened to two shots when Rarick, playing in the group ahead of the leader, bogeyed the 11th hole.

A birdie by Rarick on the 12th coupled with a Ritzman bogey on the hole deadlocked their scores. Both players birdied No. 13 to go seven under par. Geddes tied the leaders with birdies at Nos. 13 and 14.

Rarick then had birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 for her winning margin.

“I knew what was going on at 15, because a fan came up and said we were all seven under,” the third-year pro said. “I did not look at the scoreboard at 16, 17 or 18. I did not know what happened until after I signed my scorecard.”

Geddes parred home from the 14th hole and took second place when Ritzman made a bogey at No. 18.

Laurie Peterson shot a final-round 69 to tie Hollis Stacy for fourth place at 212.