Kerr wins Kingsmill shoot-out

Thailand's Ariya surges to third with birdie blitz

Cristie Kerr made a short par putt on the second hole of a sudden-death to beat Suzann Pettersen in a play-off of the Kingsmill Championship yesterday (Bangkok time), with Thai ace Ariya Jutanugarn settling at third to cement her place among the world's elite in her rookie season.

The victory was the 16th of Kerr's career, and her third in five career play-offs.

The American also triumphed in the tournament for the third time.

Kerr shot a 2-under 69, and Pettersen had a 67 to finish at 12-under 272 on the River Course.

Kerr nearly won it on the first extra hole. Her approach to No 18 stopped about 6 feet from the hole while Pettersen's approach came up short of the green. But Pettersen chipped it close, and Kerr's putt slid past the hole.

On the second hole, Pettersen hit her approach just off the back of the green, and Kerr's stopped nearly hole high about 15 feet away. After Pettersen mis-hit her chip, leaving it well short, Kerr rolled her putt to 18 inches, forcing Pettersen to make hers, and her try missed badly.

Pettersen, who gained her first career victory here in 2007 with a three-hole play-off victory over Jee Young-lee, fell to 5-3 in her career in play-offs. She won in a play-off two weeks ago in Hawaii.

The finish turned into a two-player battle after looking as if it might get wild.

Halfway leader Ariya came back from a dismal 74 on Saturday by firing five birdies on the back nine in a 66 to surge into a tie for third with Ilhee Lee, who closed with a career-best 67.

"I didn't putt well in the third round but in the final round my putts just worked really well," said the 17-year-old who posted three top-five finishes in LPGA this year, including second in Thailand and fourth in Singapore.

"I always set a target of winning every tournament I enter. I feel like I'm getting close. It's just a matter of time," added Ariya who will remain in the US for LPGA qualifying competitions.

Angela Stanford also had a share of third until the final hole, when she lipped out a short par putt for her first bogey in a closing 69. She shared fifth place with Stacy Lewis, who closed with a 70.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/05/07/kerr-wins-kingsmill-shoot-out/