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SPORTSMonday 19 October 2015

Lexi Thompson wins LPGA Tour event in South Korea

INCHEON, South Korea (AP) Lexi Thompson of the United States hits out of a bunker on the 18th hole during the second round of the KEB Hana Bank
— Lexi Thompson broke out Championship golf tournament at Sky72 Golf Club in Incheon, South Korea, Friday, Oct. 16, 2015.
of a crowded pack Sunday
to win the LPGA KEB Hana Associated Press
Bank Championship for her
second victory of the year was crazy good.” On the par-5 18th, she hit a nine to take the lead. She “Getting closer and closer,”
and sixth overall. Thompson took a two- 290-yard drive, put her 190- bogeyed the par-4 11th, Tseng said. “I’m very feel-
The 20-year-old American stroke lead with a birdie on yard second shot into deep and got the stroke back ing good about my game.”
closed with a 3-under 69 to the short par-4 15th. She rough left of the green and with the birdie on 15. Ko ended up needing to
beat Taiwan’s Yani Tseng drove to the right of the lashed another flop to 12 Thompson finished at 15-un- win or finish in a two-way
and South Korea’s Sung green and hit a flop shot to feet to set up a two-putt der 273, earned $300,000 tie for second to regain the
Hyun Park by a stroke on 8 feet. par. “I’m overall a very ag- and is projected to jump top spot in the world. In-
Sky 72’s Ocean Course. “When I went for that green gressive player,” Thompson from fifth to fourth in the bee Park shot a 69 to tie for
“It’s very satisfying.” and I saw my ball bounce said. “So, if I have 190 front, world ranking. She also won 15th at 8 under in her home
Thompson said. “I always over, I’m like, ‘Probably I’m not laying up. But it’s in July in Michigan. event.
look forward to coming not going to be the best good to play aggressive Sung Hyun Park birdied the “It was great to just see
back to South Korea and chip shot, or the easiest,” and know that I can get 18th for a 71 in her first start family, my niece and neph-
playing in front of these Thompson said. “But I love up-and-down.” on the LPGA Tour. ews out here,” Ko said. “It’s
amazing fans. I love Sky hitting flop shots out of the Thompson opened with Playing the group ahead just really good to be able
72. It’s a great golf course. rough. I just opened the rounds of 68, 67 and 69 of Thompson, Tseng bird- to play in front of them.
Getting a win, it means so blade wide open and just to enter the final round a ied the final two holes for a Doesn’t matter if I shoot
much.” took a big swing at it. I fig- shot behind Ko and Sung 68. The former top-ranked even par, under par, over
Lydia Ko missed a chance ured, at worst, it would run Hyun Park. The 6-foot Flori- player won the last of her par, you don’t get to play
to take the top spot in the through the fringe but have da player birdied the final 15 LPGA Tour titles in March in front of family or relatives
world from South Korean a straight uphill putt.” three holes on the front 2012. that often.”q
star Inbee Park, finishing
with a 72 that dropped the
18-year-old South Korean-
born New Zealander into
a tie for fourth at 13 under
with South Korea’s Amy
Yang and American Geri-
na Piller.
Yang birdied the final nine
holes for a 62. She became
the first player in tour history
to close with nine straight
birdies, tied the record for
consecutive birdies set by
Beth Daniel in 1999, broke
the nine-hole mark for rela-
tion to par at 9 under and
matched the record for
the lowest total at 27. Yang
also tied the course record
set by Sung Hyun Park on
Thursday.
“I don’t know what just
happened. Just can’t be-
lieve,” Yang said. “Shots
were great. Early in the
week I was shaky, but I
don’t know, this back nine