Los angeles: Two South Korean players, Kim Sei-young and Im Jin-hee, were defeated in a tense playoff at the LPGA event in Los Angeles, held at the El Caballero Country Club. This exciting conclusion saw Hannah Green of Australia clinching the victory with a birdie on the first playoff hole at the JM Eagle LA Championship.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the three competitors finished regulation play tied at 17-under 271, each having taken unique routes to reach this score. Kim, 33, had led by two strokes over Green and three other contenders through 54 holes, eyeing her 14th LPGA title. However, her performance fluctuated throughout the final round, resulting in a two-under 70 score. Her round included a notable chip-in eagle at the par-5 11th but was marred by a bogey at the par-3 17th, leading to her participation in the playoff.

Im, 27, was aspiring for her second career title following her team victory at the Dow Championship with Lee So-mi last June. She began the final round three strokes behind Kim, and a double bogey on the 10th hole seemed to dash her hopes. Nevertheless, Im made a significant comeback with a long eagle putt at the 16th, ending the final round with a remarkable five-under 67. She then observed as Kim and Green both parred the 18th, setting the stage for the playoff.

During the sudden-death playoff at the par-4 18th, Im's chances quickly diminished after her tee shot veered right, and she missed the green with her second shot, managing only to save par. Kim also parred the hole after failing to sink her birdie putt from the right of the cup. Green, positioned closest to the hole after her approach, successfully made her birdie putt to secure her eighth career LPGA title and her third victory at the LA Championship.

Green's final round was marked by a comeback from being six shots behind the leader, as she scored five birdies on the back nine before sealing her win in the playoff. Kim had a commanding eight-stroke lead with five holes to play on Saturday, but faltered by bogeying four of her last five holes, which ultimately contributed to her inability to recover in the playoff.