Brittany clinches Mission Hills title
Rancho Mirage (USA), April 6: Brittany Lincicome claimed her second major championship by parring the third playoff hole at the ANA Inspiration tournament Sunday to defeat fellow American Stacy Lewis.
Lincicome hit a brilliant approach shot on the final extra hole, then tapped in to take the first major championship of the 2015 LPGA Tour season and snap an almost four-year winless drought.
“Super emotional right now,” Lincicome said. “I am standing here shaking like a leaf. It is over and I am still shaking. It is just how nerves get to you.”
Lincicome also won this event in 2009 for her only other major title. She set the table for both victories by making an eagle on the 72nd hole of the tournaments at the Mission Hills Country Club.
Lincicome shot a threeunder 69 in the final round to finish tied with Lewis at nine-under 279.
Lewis made a furious charge of her own coming from behind on the back nine to chase down and surpass third-round leader South Korean rookie Kim Sei-Young. Lewis shot a two-under 70 on Sunday.
Morgan Pressel finished solo third at eight-under par while Kim tied for fourth with two others at seven-under, two shots back of the leaders.
Lincicome and Lewis returned to the tee on the par-five 18th for the playoff, not once, but three times.
Lewis, who was in the final group, missed a birdie putt to win on the final hole of regulation. — AFP