Atsedes Wins Duramed FUTURES Tour Lid-Lifter

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Lori Atsedes only needed an even-par 72 on Sunday to win the Lakeland Duramed FUTURES Classic, the season opener for the circuit.

She finished at 4-under-par 212, which was good for a one-stroke victory over Kelly Cap, who posted her third consecutive round of 1-under-par 71 on Sunday.

Ha-Na Chae shot an even-par 72 and finished alone in third place at minus-2, followed by Salimah Mussani, who took fourth despite a 2-over 74 in the final round.

Atsedes, a former member of the LPGA Tour, collected her seventh Duramed FUTURES Tour victory. She began this season third on the career money list on the circuit, but thanks to the $11,200 first-place check, moved into second place. She trails Marilyn Lovander by $24,327.

Meredith Ward, the overnight leader who was battling an ankle injury, struggled to a 5-over-par 77 and tied for fifth place with Mindy Kim (72), Noon Huachai (74) and Audra Burks (74). The group came in at even-par 216.