Los angeles: Two South Korean players, Kim Sei-young and Im Jin-hee, were defeated in a tense playoff at the JM Eagle LA Championship at El Caballero Country Club in Los Angeles, as Hannah Green from Australia clinched the win with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim and Im both finished regulation tied at 17-under 271 alongside Green, each having taken different paths to reach this score. Kim, who was leading by two strokes over Green and three others after 54 holes, was aiming for her 14th career LPGA title. However, her final round of two-under 70 included both a chip-in eagle on the 11th and a bogey on the 17th, pushing her into the playoff.
Im, aiming for her second career title after a team victory at the Dow Championship, began the final round three strokes behind Kim. A double bogey on the 10th initially hindered her chances, but she rebounded with a long eagle putt on the 16th, ultimately shooting a five-under 67. Both Kim and Green parred the 18th, leading to the playoff.
In the sudden-death playoff on the par-4 18th, Im's tee shot veered right, taking her out of contention despite saving par. Kim also parred after missing a birdie putt. Green, positioned closest to the cup after her second shot, successfully made her birdie putt, securing her eighth career title and her third victory at the LA Championship.
Green had been trailing by six shots during the final round but rallied with five birdies on the back nine, culminating in her playoff triumph. Kim had previously held an eight-stroke lead with five holes left on Saturday but faltered with four bogeys, which continued into the final round, preventing a recovery in the playoff.
Expressing her disappointment, Kim remarked, "Just a little disappointed because I had a good chance for the win. But (Green) played well. Strong finish back nine. She deserves that."
Looking ahead, the first of five LPGA major tournaments, the Chevron Championship, begins Thursday in Houston, Texas. When asked about her preparation for the event, Kim admitted, "I don't know. I don't think (of) anything right now. Sorry."