South Korea’s Inbee Park claimed her second golf major title of the year when she birdied the third hole of a sudden-death playoff with Scotland’s Catriona Matthew to win the LPGA Championship.
World No.1 Park holed a 20-foot putt for the victory on Sunday, rebounding in the playoff after relinquishing a three-shot lead when she bogeyed three of her final five holes in regulation.
Park shot a closing three-over-par 75 at Locust Hill and was caught at five-under 283 by Matthew who had a flawless 68.
Seven-time major champion Karrie Webb was the leading Australian, a distant 10 shots off the pace in a tie for 33rd after a closing 70 while countrywoman Sarah Jane Smith plummeted from contention with a nine-over 81 to be tied 53rd.
The 24-year-old Park also won the Kraft Nabisco in California in early April and the 2008 US Women’s Open.
With the victory on Sunday, Asian players have won nine straight majors.
The sudden-death playoff made a long day even longer, coming after the field completed 36 holes in a marathon finish made necessary after rain washed out play on Thursday.