Jutanugarn wins Manulife LPGA Classic in playoff

Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand hit a birdie putt on the first hole of a three-way playoff to win the Manulife LPGA Classic at Whistle Bear Golf Club.

Jutanugarn’s drive found the long grass on the side of the par-4 18th hole but she recovered with an approach shot that left her pin-high. She calmly drained a 25-footer for the victory over American Lexi Thompson (72) and South Korea’s In Gee Chun (70).

Jutanugarn finished at 3-under-par 69 on the day and was tied at 17-under 271 at the end of regulation.

Thompson, who started the day with a one-shot lead, led by four shots at the turn but stumbled on the back nine with four bogeys. She three-putted from 35 feet on the 18th and missed a four-footer that could have given her the victory.

Jodi Ewart Shadoff of England (69) was one shot back in fourth place. South Korea’s Mi Hyang Lee (68) and Laura Gonzalez Escallon of Belgium (67) were three strokes behind.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., was the top Canadian. She finished six strokes back in a tie for 11th after a 71.

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp started the day three shots behind Thompson but was unable to make a run. She had a double bogey on her final hole and finished at 10 under after a 76. Sponsor invite Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., struggled to an 81 (285).