Kim beats Ariya in play-off
PARADISE ISLAND: Rookie Ariya Jutanugarn came close to becoming the first Thai winner on the women’s elite tour on Sunday when she lost in a three-way playoff at the Bahamas LPGA Classic.
South Korean Kim Sei-Young, another rookie, won at the first play-off hole beating compatriot Yoo Sun-Young and Ariya.
It was the second time that the Thai teenager, who earned her tour card through the qualifying school last year, finished runnerup after she blew a two-shot lead with one hole to play to lose to South Korea’s Park In-Bee at the 2013 Honda LPGA Thailand.
Kim sank a five-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to reach the play-off, then followed with a six-foot birdie putt on the same 18th green on the first extra hole to win the crown in only her second US tour appearance.
“I feel really great,” Kim said. “I was really nervous. I just focused on my game. I can’t find the words. Just crying.”
The 22-year-old, a three-time winner on the Korean Tour, fired a five-under par 68 in the final round to join Ariya and Yoo on 14-under 278 and force a play-off on the par-five 18th hole.
Yoo, the 2012 Kraft Nabisco Championship winner, found a greenside bunker with her play-off approach while 19-year-old Ariya put her approach in the left rough. Kim then blasted her second shot to the back edge of the green.
Ariya and Yoo chipped on to the green to set up birdie putts while Kim left a 30-foot eagle bid six feet short. Yoo and Ariya settled for pars and Kim followed by sinking her pressure-packed putt for the victory, raising her right arm in celebration.
New Zealand teenager Lydia Ko kept the world’s top ranking, foiling Park In-Bee’s bid to regain the No.1 spot.
Ko finished on 281, one behind Park but that was enough for the 17-year-old star to retain the top spot.
Moriya Jutanugarn