Ariya Jutanugarn overcomes collapse, wins US Women's Open playoff

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Ariya Jutanugarn had a huge lead, completely lost it and then prevailed on the fourth hole of a playoff to win a dramatic U.S. Women's Open on Sunday at Shoal Creek.

 

Jutanugarn, a 22-year-old from Thailand, made a clutch bunker shot to within a foot of the hole to save par, beating South Korea's Hyo-Joo Kim, who shot a 5-under 67 in the final round to force the playoff.

 

MORE: Final leaderboard from the U.S. Women's Open

 

 

Jutanugarn started the day with a four-shot lead over Australia's Sarah Jane Smith and looked like she might win easily after opening with a 4-under on the front nine to stretch her lead to seven shots.

 

But a triple bogey on No. 10 cut the lead to four and seemed to shake her confidence. She still had a two-shot lead with two holes remaining, but closed with back-to-back bogeys to fall into a playoff after shooting 73.

 

This article was written by David Brandt from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.