Ariya Jutanugarn claims play-off win at Kingsmill Championship
Monday 21 May 2018 06:54, UK
Ariya Jutanugarn registered her first win of the season with play-off victory at the weather-affected Kingsmill Championship in Virginia.
Jutanugarn posted a five-under 66 to join Nasa Hataoka and In Gee Chun tied at the top of the leaderboard, before rolling in a 20-foot birdie for victory at the second extra play-off hole.
Brooke Henderson fired a round-of-the-day 65 to finish a shot back in fourth, with the event reduced to 54 holes after severe weather disruption during the opening three days.
"I didn't feel that much pressure because I did a great job today," Jutanugarn said. "So whether I'm going to win or lose, I'm very proud of that."
Jutanugarn began the round two strokes off the lead but surged into pole position with five birdies in a six-hole stretch around the turn, only to bogey the par-five 15th and allow Hataoka to pull alongside her.
Chun birdied her penultimate hole to close a three-under 68 and make it a three-way tie on 14 under, but was eliminated from the play-off following a par at the first extra hole.
Jutanugarn matched Hataoka's birdie to extend the contest, before holing another long-range effort at the next to secure victory and claim an eighth career LPGA Tour title.