Lincicome hit a brilliant approach shot on the final extra hole, then tapped in to take the first major championship of the 2015 LPGA Tour season and snap an almost four-year winless drought. PHOTO: AFP
Lincicome hit a brilliant approach shot on the final extra hole, then tapped in to take the first major championship of the 2015 LPGA Tour season and snap an almost four-year winless drought.
"I am super emotional right now," said Lincicome. "I am standing here shaking like a leaf. It is over and I am still shaking. It is just how nerves get to you."
Lincicome also won this event in 2009 for her only other major title. She set the table for both victories by making an eagle on the 72nd hole of the tournaments at the Mission Hills Country Club.
Lincicome shot a three-under 69 in the final round to finish tied with Lewis at nine-under 279.
Lewis made a furious charge of her own coming from behind on the back nine to chase down and surpass third-round leader South Korean rookie Kim Sei-Young. Lewis shot a two-under 70 on Sunday.
Morgan Pressel finished solo third at eight-under par, while Kim tied for fourth with two others at seven-under, two shots back of the leaders.
Lincicome and Lewis returned to the tee on the par-five 18th for the playoff, not once, but three times.
"Gosh, we played that hole so many times," said Lincicome, whose last win came at the 2011 Canadian Open. "The first time we played that hole, it was fairly easy, except that I was so far out of this tournament, that I never had a chance.”
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