Port St. Lucie, Nov 17 (AP) Sandra Changkija became the first woman to win the Assistant PGA Professional Championship in the 49-year history of the tournament, posting an even-par 72 to win by three shots at the Dye Course at PGA Golf Club.
Changkija is a former LPGA Tour player who now is an assistant pro at Lake Nona in Orlando. She was one of two women in the 132-player field.
Under the PGA of America guidelines, women play about 85% of the yardage as the man. Changkija played the Dye Course at 6,035 yards, compared with 7,122 yards for the mean.
“It means a lot,” Changkija said. “I've worked really hard on my game. And being that I work a full-time job, it's hard. The field is mostly men, these national events, so it means a lot that a female can win.” Suzy Whaley, a Connecticut professional who went on to become PGA of America president, was the first woman in 2002 to win the Professional National Championship. That earned her a spot in the Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour in 2003, two months after Annika Sorenstam received an exemption at the Colonial.
This report includes content sourced from Press Trust of India (PTI), edited for clarity and context.
