Jun 8, 2025 
(June 8, 2023 – VERSAILLES, KY) — A good offense is often considered the best defense.
Such was the case today at the 3rd annual Woodford Legends Invitational powered by Suran Systems where defending champions Catriona Matthew of Scotland and Becky Morgan of South Wales went on the offensive with a barrage of birdies that ultimately led them to a successful title defense and a second consecutive trip to the winner’s circle at The Woodford Club.
The pair fired a final round 57 in the two-person scramble format on their way to a 36-hole score of 26 under par, two clear of runners-up Jane Geddes and Liselotte Neumann who finished 24-under par after carding a 58 today while playing alongside the eventual champions.
Morgan and Matthew started today’s round trailing overnight leaders Michelle McGann and Laura Diaz by a couple of strokes.
“We were two behind going out, so we knew we had to get off to a much better start than yesterday,” said Morgan, a past champion on the Ladies European Tour. “We had a slow start yesterday, and today we had birdies on the first four holes.”
The team of Morgan and Matthew went on to card birdies on seven of nine holes on the front and kicked off the back nine with birdies on holes 10 and 11.
“We went out with the attitude of trying to birdie every hole,” said Matthew, a competitor in nine Solheim Cup contests who steered the Euros to victory as captain in 2019 and 2021, “but it was definitely trickier today. The breeze picked up on the back nine and made it more difficult.”
Two consecutive pars on the par 4 12th hole and the par 3 13th worried the talented duo for a moment, but a quick pep talk on the 14th tee righted the ship.
“We made two pars in a row on 12 and 13, so standing on 14 we were like, oh we’ve got to stop what we call the ‘rot,’” said Morgan.
And stop the rot they did. The twosome closed with five straight birdies, including a clutch 8-footer made by Morgan on the 18th to seal the clubhouse lead at 26 under.
Catriona Matthew celebrates a birdie putt made by teammate Becky Morgan.
Playing partners Neumann and Geddes provided added inspiration along the way, notching birdies on holes 10, 11, 12 and 15 to stay within striking distance.
“After they birdied 16, we were three behind,” said Neumann, “but we were like, ok we’ve got to go eagle birdie and try to put some pressure on those two.”
Standing on the par 5 17th, Geddes and Neumann strategized their best chance for eagle, and it paid off. Both hit great drives, and Geddes went for the green in two first.
“I felt like I hit a good shot, but the wind caught it, and it came up short of the green,” said Geddes, an 11-time winner on the LPGA Tour, including two major championship titles.
“I changed clubs because I knew I needed more to get it up there,” said Neumann, who’s second shot gave the pair a solid look at eagle, which they converted – their second of the day.
Liselotte Neumann reacts to making a birdie putt on the 18th green at The Woodford Club.
On 18, Neumann drained a 20-footer for birdie, but in the end, it wasn’t enough to overtake Morgan and Matthew.
“It’s always great coming back to a course you’ve won on,” said Matthew. “I have a fantastic partner in Becky. Obviously, we’re taking it seriously and wanting to win, but we enjoyed it as well, which I think helps.”
No doubt they’ll be back with more magic next year at their new favorite stop, The Woodford Club.
“It’s a lovely course,” said Morgan. “It’s brilliant here. We love it.”
Kentucky area standouts Elizabeth Eberle of Richmond and C.A. Carter of Lexington teamed up to top the Amateur Division with a two-day total of 22 under par.
Click here for final scores.
Jun 7, 2025 
