So Yeon Ryu wins play-off over Lexi Thompson at ANA Inspiration after penalty debacle
Monday 3 April 2017 07:58, UK
So Yeon Ryu secured a play-off victory over a distraught Lexi Thompson after a dramatic final round at the ANA Inspiration.
Ryu rolled in a six-foot birdie at the 18th in the play-off to edge ahead of Thompson, who was controversially handed a four-stroke penalty mid-round for an incident from the previous day.
The pair had finished level on 14 under for the tournament, with Inbee Park and Minjee Lee a further stroke back alongside Suzann Pettersen.
"I cannot believe the situation," said Ryu, who admitted her second major championship felt "weird".
"I didn't even check the leaderboard, Lexi was playing so well. I didn't expect it. But I'm also really proud of myself."
Taking a two-shot lead in to the final round, Thompson extended her advantage with three birdies in her opening seven holes but carded a first blemish of the day at the par-four 12th.
It was at that point the American was told by tournament officials that she was being punished.
The LPGA revealed they got an email from a TV viewer that Thompson did not properly replace her ball. She was assessed a two-shot penalty for the infraction, and two shots for signing an incorrect scorecard.
"Is this a joke?" Thompson said as she headed for the 13th tee. "That's just ridiculous."
LPGA Tour Golf
Thompson bounced back immediately and drained a long-range birdie at the 13th to retain a share of the lead, before cancelling out a gain at the 15th with a bogey-five at the next.
Trailing clubhouse leader Ryu by one as she headed to 18th, Thompson found the par-five green in two but left her 15-foot eagle putt for victory just short to close a five-under 67.
"I just tried to gather myself before I made that tee shot, and made a great putt there," added Thompson, who was trying to add a second ANA Inspiration title to her 2014 trophy.
Even Tiger Woods led a chorus of disapproval by tweeting: "Viewers at home should not be officials wearing stripes. Let's go @Lexi win this thing anyway."
Playing partner Suzann Pettersen, who finished a stroke back on 275 along with South Korean Park In-Bee and Australian Minjee Lee, was impressed with Thompson's resilience.
"For her to come back with those birdies shows the character she is," Pettersen said. "Just true class from Lexi."
Michelle Wie also carded a three-under 69 to end the week in sixth spot, while England's Charley Hull finished the week in a share of 14th.
