Slam-Dunk Victory for SY Kim


Sei Young Kim ended the Lotte Championship on Saturday in dramatic fashion. The 22-year-old from Seoul holed out from 154 yards for an eagle on the first sudden-death playoff hole, the par-4 18th at Ko Olina Golf Club in Hawaii, to defeat fellow South Korean Inbee Park.

The two tied in regulation at 11-under 277 on the windswept course, with third-round leader Kim finishing with a 1-over 73 and Park, a 13-time winner on the LPGA Tour, a 71.

Kim got into the playoff after a clutch par on the 17th hole. Then, after her drive on the 18th bounded down the fairway and rolled into a water hazard, forcing her to take a penalty stroke and a drop, she chipped in from off the fringe of the green for a clutch par to equal Park at 277.

Both players found the 18th fairway in the sudden-death playoff. With Kim away, the winner hit an 8-iron that bounced a few times and slammed into the cup. Because the sun was in her eyes Kim didn't realize the ball went in, but her caddie did and so did the roaring gallery around the green.

In halting English, a stunned Kim said during a brief TV interview, "I don't believe what happened there." It was the second title in the budding star's career; in February she won the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.

I.K. Kim started the day only a stroke out of the lead but closed with a 74 to take third at 279. Tied for fourth two shots further back were two more South Koreans, Hyo Joo Kim (69) and Chella Choi (72),

Germany's Sandra Gal finished sixth at 282 following a 69, and sharing seventh at 284 were China's Shanshan Feng (69), Japan's Mika Miyazato (71), American Cristie Kerr (72) and South Korea's Jenny Shin (76).

Defending champion and Hawaii native Michelle Wie posted her second straight 73 to end up tied for 11th with Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum (71) in the tournament that had a rare Wednesday start.

For complete scoring details, visit http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/lotte-championship/leaderboard.