Orlando pro becomes first woman to win PGA Assistants Championship

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (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 on Sunday 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.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf