American Wins $2.5 million ANA Inspiration in Sudden Death

By City News Service:

Brittany Lincicome parred the third hole of a sudden death playoff Sunday to win the $2.5 million ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage.

Lincicome forced the playoff with fellow American Stacy Lewis with an eagle on the par-5 18th in women’s golf’s first major tournament of the year. Both golfers parred each of the first two holes of the playoff, which was held on the 18th hole.

On the third playoff hole, Lewis’ layup fell in a divot and left her shot just short of the green. Lewis’ chip left her 10 feet from the hole and she missed her par putt. Lincicome two-putted for a par and her second victory in the tournament.

“Today was my day,” said Lincicome, who also won the tournament in 2009. “Somebody was looking out for me today.”

Following her victory, the 29-year-old Lincicome made the traditional leap into Poppie’s Pond adjacent to the 18th green, joined by her caddy, Missy Pederson, fiance Dewald Gouws, and father Tom Lincicome.

Lewis shot a final-round two-under-par 70 and had three chances to win the tournament. She narrowly missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole of regulation, which she said she “kind of misread.”

Lewis missed another 10-foot putt on the first playoff hole.

“I hit a decent putt that just kind of lost speed and so it trailed off at the end,” said Lewis, who won the tournament in 2011.

Lewis missed a seven-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole.

“It’s really hard when you kind of do everything you think you need to do and it’s just not meant to be, “ Lewis said after her fifth second-place finish since her most recent victory in June at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. “That’s golf sometimes.”

The playoff was the sixth in the tournament’s 44-year history and the first to go three holes.

Lincicome received $375,000 for her first victory since the 2011 CN Canadian Women’s Open, $75,000 more than Lexi Thompson received for winning last year’s tournament.

The champion’s increase is part of the overall increase in prize money from $2 million to $2.5 million under the agreement with All Nippon Airways to become the tournament’s new sponsor after Kraft Nabisco decided to drop its sponsorship after 33 years.

Lincicome began the round among three golfers tied for third, three shots behind Lewis and four behind South Korean rookie Sei Young Kim, the tournament leader.

Lincicome was at one-under-par through seven holes, with two birdies and a bogey, then had 10 consecutive pars before her eagle on the 18th hole, for a round of three-under-par 69 that left her at nine-under par 279 for the tournament.

Lewis played in the final twosome with Kim. The two were tied atop the leader board for the final time on the 13th hole. Lewis parred the par-3 14th, while Kim had a double bogey for a two-shot lead.

Kim’s birdie on the 16th, which Lewis parred, put her back within one shot of the lead, but a bogey on the 17th hole and a par on the 18th ended her hopes for a victory.

Kim’s three-over-par 75 left her in a three-way tie for fourth at seven- under-par 281, two shots off the lead.

“My shots really weren’t going the way I wanted to, especially on the back nine,” Kim said through an interpreter. She had a three-over-39 on the back nine with four bogeys, a double bogey and three birdies.

“I think I still had a few opportunities where I had a chance to win it, but unfortunately, the shots weren’t there.”

Lincicome is the eighth winner through this year’s eight tournaments on the LPGA Tour. Each of the first six were born in South Korea. Cristie Kerr, who won the $1.7 million Kia Classic in Carlsbad which concluded last Sunday, is the only other American winner.

Lydia Ko finished in a six-way tie for 51st, and three-over-par 291, 12 shots off the lead. However, the 17-year-old who was born in South Korea and lives in New Zealand will remain atop the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

“Obviously a little disappointing, but I felt like I hit some good shots and some good putts, but just didn’t drop,” Ko said. “When that happens, you really can’t do much.”

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