Tuesday 5 April 2016 12:18, UK
Charley Hull missed out on a first major title by a single stroke as Lydia Ko claimed the ANA Inspiration in California.
Hull finished with five birdies in her final 10 holes, but that was not enough to stop 18-year-old Ko becoming the youngest player to secure a second major title.
Ko benefited from a spectacular collapse by Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn to claim the $390,000 first prize with a birdie at the final hole taking her to 12 under, one shot ahead of Hull and In Gee Chun of South Korea.
Hull's day started badly with bogeys at the second and fourth dropping her four shots off the pace, set by Jutanugarn.
Jutanugarn rallied from a dropped shot at the fourth to make four birdies in five holes from the seventh, the fourth of those restoring a two-shot lead over Ko.
By then, Hull had started her charge back through the field, after dropping to six under at one point, and when she made a three at the par-four 13th she had moved into contention at 10 under.
But only one more birdie would come in the final five holes, and that was at the last where she completed a round of 69 to set the clubhouse pace.
Ko was on a frustrating spell of nine successive pars, three of those saved by lengthy putts, when she stood on the final tee tied with Hull on 11 under, but by then that was good enough for a share of the lead after Jutanugarn's collapse started.
She dropped a shot at the 16th by three-putting, and then failed to make a sand save at the 17th to drop into the group at 11 under.
And worse would follow at the last, where she hooked her drive into water, leading to a third straight bogey and a 10-under finish that was only good enough for a disappointing fourth.
That left Ko needing a birdie to secure the victory, and she managed just that thanks to a sublime wedge to within a foot at the closing hole and a tap-in, followed by the traditional leap into Poppie's Pond.
"This is an unbelievable moment," Ko said.
"It has always been my dream to play on the LPGA Tour. For these amazing things to be happening it is unbelievable, but it also motivates me to work harder."
"Obviously, making those putts on 11 and 13 was crucial, too, but just not knowing anything, I wanted to focus on my game and just what I could control. But on 17, I knew what I needed to do. Something like a miracle needed to happen, so I think 17 was probably the most crucial putt."
Although Hull missed out in agonising fashion, she was pleased with her week, and said: "I am happy because I played some great shots on the back nine.
"I feel like I know I can play well under pressure. Making birdies when I am down, I have done that today and I am proud of myself. But Lydia hit a great shot into the last and she should be proud of herself.
"I think [my performance] is great, I can't wait for the next tournament, I put some good work in over Christmas and so far I have had a number of top-10s and been playing well.
"I feel I'm in a good place off the golf course at the moment. I've got all my friends around me as well and I feel that actually helps me on the golf course. It keeps me away from the pressure so I can just go out there and play freely."
England's Jodi Ewart-Shadoff finished in a tie for 18th place on five under after closing with a 68, while Scotland's Catriona Matthew slipped back to joint-32nd on three under following a 75.
