Ariya Jutanugarn wins Yokohama Tire LPGA for 1st tour win
Ariya Jutanugarn had a chance to win the LPGA’s first major of the year, the ANA Inspiration, in April. She had the lead with three holes to play. She let it slip away into Lydia Ko’s capable hands.
The question was how long it would take for the Thai to get over that tough loss and break through on the LPGA.
We got the answer on Sunday. About a month.
The 20-year-old won the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic on Sunday in Prattville, Ala., making a 5-foot par putt on the final hole to hold off Stacy Lewis, Morgan Pressel and Amy Yang by a shot on 14-under 274.
“Right now, really happy,” Jutanugarn said afterward to Golf Channel. “Like proud of myself, but, you know, after back nine, I didn’t feel anything. I was just like, I’m out. Right now still a little bit excited, but last three hole excited, my hands shake, yeah.”
Jutanugarn, who shot 63 on Saturday to take a three-shot edge into the final day, turned in even-par 36 on Sunday at the Senator Course on the RTJ Golf Trail, and she lost the lead with a bogey on the 12th hole. It was at that point her caddie gave her a pep talk, imploring her to focus on every shot and finish out this first win. She responded with a kick-in birdie on the 13th and a near tap-in on the 14th.
However, the win didn’t come without drama. On the par-5 17th, Jutanugarn laid up, leaving about 140 yards for her third shot. She fanned the shot, landing short of the green with a tricky downhill lie leading into a bunker. She was unable to get up-and-down for par, forcing her to relive what happened at Mission Hills last month and requiring a par to put the tournament away for good.
Jutanugarn became the first Thai woman to win on the LPGA.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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