2LT National News

SHANGHAI, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) — World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand came from behind and produced a brilliant birdie on the fifth playoff hole to edge Japan’s Minami Katsu and capture the Buick LPGA Shanghai title on Sunday, making her the first two-time LPGA winner of the season.

Katsu, who began the day two shots ahead, extended her lead to four with back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th holes. Thitikul responded immediately, reeling off three straight birdies on the 14th, 15th and 16th. She then sank a stunning eagle putt on the 17th to pull even. Katsu matched with a birdie on the same hole but missed her birdie opportunity on the 18th, sending the two into a playoff at 24-under.

The playoff alternated between the 18th and 10th holes. The first four extra holes saw both players match pars, with Katsu narrowly missing two birdie chances that could have sealed the win.

On the fifth playoff hole, Thitikul hit a superb approach to within three feet of the pin, while Katsu’s second shot fell short of the green. Katsu’s chip for birdie slid past the cup, and Thitikul calmly sank her putt to clinch victory.

“The feeling is unreal,” Thitikul said. “What happened on the last event was definitely still in my mind, but to be able to prove myself again in this tournament, which is like a dream come true.”

The 22-year-old Thai star also redeemed herself after a heartbreaking four-putt meltdown on the final hole at last month’s Kroger Queen City Championship. Her first title of the season came at the Mizuho Americas Open in May.

Australia’s Lee Min-jee carded a 68 for a 19-under total to finish solo third. Defending champion Yin Ruoning of China delivered a solid final round of 68 to finish tied for 26th at 9-under.

16-year-old Chinese amateur Xu Ying impressed in her LPGA debut, shooting 16-under to tie for seventh and earning honors as the tournament’s best amateur.