Jasmine Suwannapura of Thailand triumphed at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in Rogers, Arkansas, with a remarkable performance that culminated in an eagle putt on the second playoff hole against Lucy Li. Suwannapura, who forced the playoff by making an eagle on her final hole, showcased her skill under pressure after Li had faltered on her third shot in the playoff. "Everything fell into place, you know, right place, right time," Suwannapura reflected after her victory.
This win marked the third LPGA title of Suwannapura's career, significantly boosting her ranking in the Race to the CME Globe season-long points competition, where she now sits projected at 27th. This achievement secures her a place at the upcoming CME Group Tour Championship in November, further establishing her presence in the professional golf scene. Meanwhile, Li made history by scoring an impressive 11-under-par 60, tying for the lowest final round in the tournament this year and setting an LPGA record with three eagles in a single round.
Li's stellar performance included a dramatic finish, as her long putt on the par-5 18th hole added flair to her record-setting round. Despite her achievements, she finished at 17-under 196, just shy of her first career victory, after two top-10 finishes earlier this season. Suwannapura, on the other hand, entered the playoff after securing a 10-under 61, with her performance characterized by eight birdies and an eagle that brought her back into contention.
The playoff consisted of both players replaying the 488-yard 18th hole, where they each made birdies on their first attempt. However, on the second playoff hole, Li struggled with her tee shot and could not recover, allowing Suwannapura to capitalize on her opportunity.
The 31-year-old golfer, who started the tournament with a strong first round but faced challenges in subsequent rounds, ultimately delivered a flawless performance on Sunday, demonstrating her resilience and skill in high-pressure situations. In addition to Suwannapura's victory, Sei Young Kim from South Korea finished third at 16 under, while Japan's Mao Saigo and Thailand's Arpichaya Yubol tied for fourth at 14 under.
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