Ko has 14 LPGA Tour titles, also winning consecutive events in South California – the second the major ANA Inspiration – and later in Arkansas.
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The top-ranked player made a 10-foot birdie putt on the fourth extra hole after Jutanugarn and Lee ran into trouble on the par-5 18th. The 19-year-old New Zealander has 14 LPGA Tour titles.
It also continues a staggering run for Ko in which she has finished in the top five in her last five tournaments, including two victories. “I said, ‘Hey, maybe she’s going to win.’ And then it just slipped by”.
“But I said, the ball is (small) enough to fit inside the hole”.
“I didn’t feel much pressure, I just enjoyed it with Lydia Ko”.
The world number one led by three shots at the turn before dropping two shots on her back nine to finish tied atop the leaderboard at 14-under.
“Hyo-Joo played great today, holed a lot of putts, put herself in really good positions, so yeah, obviously I’ll be trying to track her down tomorrow, but there’s still a lot of golf to be played”.
“I played so solid this front nine, I said I have to just keep that pace, hit some solid shots”.
All three players had mouth-watering chances to claim victory but grazed edges, misread lines or mis-hit their potential play-off-ending putts. With the last putt I said deja vu, I just had it not long ago.
Still in striking range another shot back at 11 under were American Stacy Lewis (65) and Thai Ariya Jatanugarn (66). “It’s definitely been a while since I’ve felt like this, but it was worth the wait”.
Kim Kaufman entered the final round of the Marathon Classic in a six-way tie for 13th at 6-under. The Australian secured a two-year exemption and a spot in the PGA Championship.
Both parred the first three holes of the playoff, three on 18 and the third on 17.
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The 49-year-old Toms was 4 under for the day with four holes left.
