Nordqvist topples Jin-young to reach knockout

LOS ANGELES: Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist beat world number one Ko Jin-young 5&3 in round robin play, then topped the South Korean star in a playoff to reach the LPGA bank of Hope Match Play round of 16.

Nordqvist had to beat the South Korean – who came into the third and final day of round robin play with two wins under her belt – to give herself a playoff shot.

With her back to the wall, the Swede didn’t disappoint.

“She is a world No. 1 so I knew she was going to be really tough match,” Nordqvist said. “Part of me felt like I didn’t have anything to lose because I knew I had to get my point to have a chance at a playoff, so just very proud of myself.”

Nordqvist, a six-time member of the European Solheim Cup team, won the first two holes with pars on the firm Shadow Creek course and never trailed.

Jin-young pulled a hole back with a birdie at the sixth – the only hole she won – but Nordqvist won the 11th, 13th and 14th with birdies before closing it out at 15.

“The goal today was try to get a point so I could get in a potential playoff,” said Nordqvist, who went on to win the sudden death playoff for top spot in the group and a place in the knockout stage at the first hole.

“Just really proud of myself,” she said. “A lot of patience. Felt like I made some good putts today, so overall very happy and I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

World number two Park In-bee clinched her group with a 2&1 victory over Mexico’s Gaby Lopez.

World number three Kim Seiyoung was eliminated, getting the win she needed over Brittany Altomare to force a playoff, but falling to the American at the second hole of sudden death. — AFP