Boutier wins 2017 GreatLIFE Challenge

Celine Boutier (Montrouge, France) built a big lead on the back nine and held off Benyapa Niphatsophon (Bangkok, Thailand) to win the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge by one-stroke on Sunday. She carded an even-par, 72 in progressively more difficult conditions as the day continued and finished with a four-day total of 11-under, 273 to edge Niphatsophon. Katelyn Dambaugh (North Charleston, S.C.) finished third at 8-under, 276.

Boutier picks up her second win of the season and locks up a spot on the LPGA Tour for the 2018 season. Boutier’s first-place check of $31,500 moves her to $96,748 earned in 17 starts. Boutier moves to second on the Volvik Race for the Card money list and has now earned the fifth most in a single-season in Tour history. Niphatsophon earned the second place check of $19,887 to get to $102,288, the third player in Tour history to crack $100,000 in single-season earnings.