Im Jin-hee and Lee So-mi secured their maiden LPGA victories with a playoff win over Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang at the Dow Championship in Michigan.
South Korea’s Im Jin-hee and Lee So-mi birdied the first playoff hole to win the LPGA Dow Championship in Michigan on Sunday, clinching their first LPGA titles in the process.
Lee rolled in the decisive putt after partner Im had applied pressure by drilling her birdie effort. Megan Khang was unable to convert from close range, handing the South Korean duo a dramatic win in the pairs event.
“We made it together,” said Im. “If I had to do it alone, I couldn’t make it. I think we’re the best team ever. Hopefully we’re coming back next year.”
Khang and Lexi Thompson had earlier surged into the lead with a 10-under-par 60 in the final-round four-ball format at Midland Golf Club, combining for 10 birdies to post 20-under 260.
Thompson, an 11-time LPGA winner playing a limited schedule this year, holed a seven-foot birdie putt at the 72nd hole to set the clubhouse target.
Lee responded with a birdie at the 17th, and after Im’s putt lipped out at the 18th, the South Koreans signed for an eight-under 62 to force a playoff.
The decider reverted to the alternate-shot format used in the first and third rounds. Thompson’s tee shot gave the Americans the better look at birdie, but Im held her nerve on the green before Khang’s reply missed just left.
“I think on the 1st tee we pretty much said as long as we give ourselves two chances each hole, we’ll see where it takes us,” said Khang. “Thankfully we made some putts here and there – bummer to miss the last one in the playoff to force another hole, but very happy with how we played.”
Lindy Duncan of the US and China’s Miranda Wang combined for 11 birdies in an 11-under 59 to leap 13 spots into a tie for third on 18-under 262.
They were joined by Belgium’s Manon De Roey and France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who had seven birdies and a bogey in their 64.
Overnight leaders Sarah Schmelzel and Albane Valenzuela started well with four birdies in the first 11 holes, but couldn’t find another on their way to a four-under 66. They finished alone in fifth on 17-under 263.
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Photo: David Berding/Getty Images
