Lydia Ko watches her putt on the eighth hole during the second round of the Marathon Classic LPGA golf tournament at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio, Friday, July 15, 2016.
Advertisement
Ko got to 14-under par 270 in regulation as she rallied to catch the leaders and get into the playoff with Lee, who shot 65 and Ariya, who had a 68. She shot a 4-under-par 67 and trails three players by a stroke.
Ko won in consecutive weeks in Southern California this year, the second the major ANA Inspiration.
Jutanugarn, who like Ko was seeking a fourth LPGA title this year, shot an eagle on the par-five 17th on her way to 68.
“I think we all deserve to be holding the trophy, but I think I’m very fortunate to be the real one holding it”, said Ko.
It was supposed to be a sudden death playoff but it become more of a slow and agonising one, as the trio couldn’t be separated for three extra holes. The American took the turn in a highly impressive 30, but couldn’t continue her hot streak on the closing nine, notching up just two further birdies.
Ko is 4-1 in playoffs, with the loss coming to Brooke Henderson this year in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
“I thought things would go well after making a short birdie putt at the third hole but then I made four bogeys”, said Nomura, victor of this season’s Women’s Australian Open and Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic. “I hit a few good shots in”. “It’s really nice for me to have a chance in a playoff”. The 19-year-old New Zealander tied for third last week in the U.S. Womens Open in California. “I said, ‘Hey, maybe she’s going to win.’ And then it just slipped by”.
“The longer we were out here, I think we were physically and mentally all getting a little exhausted, but I said hey, the ball is big enough to fit in the hole”. I hit some solid putts.
That left her tied for second with American Alison Lee, who notched her second straight 66.
Advertisement
Stacy Lewis and Michelle Wie shot 69. She also looks in line to make her 80th LPGA cut in 81 events.
