Rookie Wins on LPGA Tour


After finishing with a 5-under 68 and ending up at 14-under 278 and in a three-way tie for the lead with fellow South Korean Sun Young Yoo and Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, Sei Young Kim birdied the first sudden-death playoff hole to win the Bahamas LPGA Classic at Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island.

Kim, a three-time winner on the Korean LPGA Tour and a rookie on the regular LPGA Tour, carded six birdies and a bogey in the final round of the tournament, which played catch-up over its final three days due to a suspension of the first round due to heavy rains.

Kim secured the victory by sinking a 6-footer for the birdie. "I feel great," Kim said at greenside after getting drenched with water by her friends on Tour. "I felt really nervous. I just focused on my game. Really happy."

Yoo closed with a 70 and Jutanugarn a 69. Neither could match Kim's birdie on the 73rd hole.

Finishing in fourth one stroke out of the playoff following a 70 was Brittany Lincicome, while sharing fifth at 280 were Danielle Kang (69) and Inbee Park (72).

Top-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand posted a 68 to rise into a share of seventh at 281 with Spain's Azahara Munoz (70) and Americans Gerina Piller (70) and Lexi Thompson (71).

Tied for 11th at 10-under were Sandra Gal, Jaye Marie Green, Stacy Lewis, Hee Young Park and Kelly Shon.

Defending champion Jessica Korda posted scores of 72 and 69 over the weekend to end up T-38.

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.

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