Rookie Anne Chen had made only one cut on the LPGA this season prior to this week and a grand total of $7,097. Chen closed with a 6-under 66 at The Standard Portland Classic thanks to playing her last five holes in 5 under, including an ace on the par-3 eighth. She earned $29,230 for the week after a T-14 finish.
CME donates $20,000 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for every ace made on tour.
Duke's Chen began the final round at Columbia Edgewater Country Club on the 10th hole. After making the turn in 34, she turned up the heat with a run of three birdies beginning on the fifth hole. Then came the ace.
"Well, you know, it was a good pin," said Chen after the round. "It's one of the shorter par 3s as well, so when you can kind of take advantage
of it, be a little careful because there is a lot of water on the right-hand side.
"But I had like a small 9-iron and it was 134, so I was like, anywhere near the hole could be good, give myself a chance for birdie. Then it jumped into the hole and I was like 'Oh, OK."
Chen, 25, has made eight starts on the LPGA this season. She has also played seven times on the Epson Tour in 2026, posting five top 10s. She's currently 16th on the Race for the Card points list. After posting back-to-back top-5 finishes on that tour in recent weeks, she was eager to see how her game stacked up on the LPGA.
"There is a lot of growth this year," said Chen, "so I'm feeling pretty happy about it."
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: LPGA rookie Anne Chen makes ace, quadruples career earnings in Portland
