Nomura outlasts Kerr

Hara Nomura two-putted for birdie on the sixth playoff hole Sunday for her third LPGA Tour victory after American Cristie Kerr briefly took the lead on the 72nd hole in the windy Volunteers of America Texas Shootout in Irving, Texas.

Nomura, 24, a Japanese native who lives in Hawaii, also birdied the par-5 18th hole at the end of regulation to force the playoff after giving up the lead for the first time with a double bogey at No. 17.

Kerr and Nomura finished regulation at 3-under 281, then played the 518-yard 18th six more times. There were five matching pars before Nomura finally won nearly 7½ hours after starting her round, almost making an eagle before her tap-in and then the wait while Kerr’s 12foot birdie chance slid left of the cup.

Kerr, 39, was trying to win consecutive tournaments. She won in Hawaii two weeks ago, her 19th career victory coming nearly five months after knee surgery.

Nomura shot a 5-over 76 in the final round. Kerr made the only birdie all day at the par-3 17th, and was leading by a stroke when she tapped in a par putt on 18 for a 74.

Other tournaments

Zurich Classic: Kevin Kisner chipped in for eagle on the 18th hole as darkness fell in Avondale, La., lifting himself and teammate Scott Brown into a Monday playoff at the Zurich Classic with Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith. Kisner’s chip-in — which skipped on a wet green, hit the pin and dropped in from nearly 95 feet — forced Smith, 23, to make a 1½-foot birdie putt to remain in contention for his first PGA Tour victory. They were at 27 under through four rounds at TPC Louisiana, which was playing host to the PGA Tour’s first team event in 36 years. Blixt, a Swede, and Smith, an Australian, haven’t bogeyed a hole yet, and appeared to have the victory wrapped up before Kisner’s chip-in. The fourth round finished in barely playable darkness because of a more than six-hour delay caused by thunderstorms.

China Open: Alexander Levy of France beat Dylan Frittelli in a playoff to win in Beijing. The 2014 champion began the final round seven shots behind overnight leader Frittelli. Levy birdied the par-5 18th for 67 to finish on 17under 271 and force a playoff with the South African. Frittelli sent his second shot on the final hole over the hospitality tent and had to settle for par in a 2-over 74 and a trip back up the 18th.