Sei Young Kim wins Lotte Championship playoff with eagle
Sei Young Kim of South Korea watches her drive off the second tee in the final round of the LPGA Lotte Championship golf tournament at Ko Olina Golf Club on Saturday.
Sei Young Kim holed out for eagle from the 18th fairway to win the Lotte Championship in a playoff with Inbee Park on Saturday at Ko Olina Golf Club.
Moments earlier, Kim needed a chip in from the fringe for par on 18 just to force the playoff after Park’s long birdie putt stopped at the edge of the cup.
Kim’s eagle gave the LPGA Tour rookie her second win of the season and the $270,000 winner’s check. She and Park finished tied at 11-under 277 in regulation.
Kim, Park and I.K. Kim were locked in a tight duel through 16 holes before I.K. Kim dropped off the pace with a bogey on No. 17.
Sei Young Kim’s drive on 18 went into the water and her third shot just cleared the pond fronting the green. Park was safely on the back of the green and rolled her putt inches from the hole, seemingly a tap-in away from the win.
But Kim chipped in for par to close out a 1-over 73 on the day and remain at 11 under with Park to close regulation.
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After keeping her second drive on 18 dry, Kim’s approach from 156 yards landed on the front of the green, took two hops and rolled into the cup.
Park, needing to match a miracle, left her approach short to end the tournament.
