ROGERS, Ark. — Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand birdied the second playoff gap to beat Danielle Kang and win the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship on Sunday.
The victory made the 19-year-old the primary LPGA Tour participant in 5 years to win twice in her rookie season. Sung Hyun Park posted a number of wins in 2017.
Thitikul and the 29-year-old Kang completed the 54-hole occasion on the Pinnacle Nation Membership tied at 17-under.
A six-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Kang was making her third tour begin since June after present process remedy for a tumor on her backbone.
Kang briefly took the lead, chipping in from close to the inexperienced for an eagle on the last gap. Enjoying within the group behind her, Thitukul, who shot a final-round 68, made a birdie at No. 17 to tie for the lead.
The 2 matched pars on No. 15, the primary additional gap, after which Thitikul made a birdie putt on No. 16 to win.
It is emotional, stated Kang, who had a final-round 64, her better of the event. I am simply actually proud that I am even right here. So clearly I wished to win, however these are like tears of pleasure.
Thitukul had gained the JTBC Basic introduced by Barbasol earlier the season in a playoff.
The $345,000 first-place examine pushed her earnings to $1,881,392 for the season. She has made 19 cuts in 20 occasions and added 9 extra high 10s, together with a solo fourth on the KPMG Girlss PGA Championship.
Thitikul grew to become the fourth participant with a number of victories this season, becoming a member of Jennifer Kupcho (3), Minjee Lee (2) and Brooke Henderson (2).
Thitikul jumped into rivalry on Saturday with a second-round 61, the bottom 18-hole LPGA rating.
Chella Choi of South Korea completed third, a shot behind the leaders. Pornannong Phatlum of Thailand was alone in fourth at 14 underneath, a stroke forward of seven gamers.
