After 8 extra holes over 2 days, a winner
RANCHO MIRAGE, Riverside County — Pernilla Lindberg plunged into Poppie’s Pond with her parents and fiance-caddie Daniel Taylor, celebrating her first professional victory in about the biggest way possible in women’s golf.
“I can’t believe that I can call myself a major champion,” Lindberg said. It wasn’t easy.
The 31-year-old Swede needed a major-record eight sudden-death holes over two days to finish off Inbee Park in the ANA Inspiration, ending it Monday with a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-4 10th.
“I just know I’m a grinder, and I just felt: ‘This is mine. I’m going to do this,’ ” Lindberg said. “I just knew I could, and I just kept fighting away. I couldn’t believe when that last putt went in.”
Park’s 20-footer to match stopped on the edge of the cup.
“The putt Pernilla made on the last was a champion’s putt,” Park said. “I’m really happy for her. This one was not an easy major win for her, as well. I mean, eight-hole playoff, I’ve never done something like that before, either.”
They played four holes Monday after going until it was too dark to see — and then playing some more — Sunday night.
“It’s so cool,” Lindberg said of having her parents on hand. “The only reason I’m playing golf is because of them. I’m so happy they’re here. I’ve probably given my dad I don’t know how many heart attacks over the last few days.”
On Sunday, Jennifer Song dropped out with a par on the third playoff hole, and Park and Lindberg decided to take one more trip down the par-5 18th in fading light. With portable lights helping illuminate the green, Park holed a 6footer for par and Lindberg made a short putt to match. They finished at 7:21 p.m., 15 minutes after sunset.
Play resumed at 8 a.m. on No. 10, with Lindbergh leaving a birdie putt an inch short from a little lower on the green than her winner later on the hole. They made up-anddown pars on the par-3 17th, with Park holing a tricky 8-foot downhill putt and Lindberg staying alive from a foot closer.
Lindberg then reached the 18th in two (the first time one of them went for it in the six times they played the par-5) but was on the far left side and was able to get her eagle putt only within 7 feet. Park laid up and hit a wedge to 8 feet. They both missed.