Chella Choi Defeats Ha Na Jang In Playoff To Take LPGA Event

– Reuters pic, July 20, 2015.Chella Choi parred the first playoff hole to defeat fellow South Korean Jang Ha-Na yesterday for her first US LPGA Tour title at the Marathon Classic and likely send her father into retirement.

Choi’s father has caddied for her since she joined the LPGA Tour seven years ago.

The South Korean is aiming to lead from start to finish, with her third round of 69 lifting her to eleven-under and one shot clear of Q Baek.

Leader Jang has fought through back problems that had her thinking about withdrawing before the first round.

Wayne’s Marina Alex was also able to complete her round on Friday, finishing at 2-under. “Very easy thinking.”. A final gain on the last hole was enough to edge into the lead. “It’s great to return to a course where you’ve played well”.

“Actually, my shot is good, but I don’t make that (many putts)”, Choi said.

It was a long day for the 18-year-old, who had to play the last four holes of her second round earlier on Saturday after rain and lightning had disrupted day two.

“I’ve been hitting it pretty solid so I’ve been trying to give myself plenty of opportunities”, Ko said. “But no bogeys today, which is really good”. I still feel I left a few out there.

The 18-year-old Ko, who has been below par in recent times, finished in a tie for third, one shot behind Koreans Chella Choi and Ha Na Jang.

“I made just made one birdie on Thursday, ” Choi said. She had a 3-under 68 in the final round with six birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey. “So really over the last two days thats the only blemish on the card.

Choi kept the momentum going into the playoff and needed just one extra hole to come out on top.

Kemp, Shanshan Feng and Dewi Claire Schreefel were tied for third at 6 under.

Stacy Lewis, ranked No. 3, finished at eight-under 276. “Still I think, just knowing me, I think I could have done better”.

Alena Sharp, Jenny Suh and Jaye Marie Green earned spots in the Womens British Open.