Ariya on top of the world with Manulife Classic win
Print Edition
ARIYA Jutanugarn of Thailand sank a monster birdie putt to win a playoff at the Manulife LPGA Classic on Sunday and almost certainly assume the world No. 1 ranking.
Ariya put her right hand to her mouth in disbelief and then burst into tears after holing a 30-footer at the first extra hole to outlast American Lexi Thompson and South Korean Chun In-gee in Cambridge, Ontario.
Ariya’s joy stood in stark contrast to the disappointment felt by Thompson, who frittered away a two-shot lead in regulation by three-putting the final two holes for two bogeys.
“I just can’t believe I’ve won the tournament because when I got here I didn’t feel comfortable hitting the golf ball,” an emotional Ariya said. “I was scared to hit my tee shot. (Now) I feel better.”
Ariya carded a closing 3-under-par 69 in breezy conditions at Whistle Bear, while Thompson shot 72 and Chun 70. They all finished at 17-under 271.
Ariya is almost certain to take over from Lydia Ko as the world No. 1 when the rankings are updated.
Ariya was set to take over last Monday, but ended up staying at No. 2 after the ranking projections were bungled.
The 21-year-old now has six LPGA victories, all since the start of last season.
Ariya would not have had a chance to win on Sunday if Thompson had not suffered a meltdown, her jangled nerves betraying her when under pressure with the putter. Thompson lipped out a five-foot putt at the penultimate hole and had a chance to make amends with a four-footer to win it at the last but hit a poor putt to fall back into the playoff.
In Memphis, Tennessee, Daniel Berger fired a 4-under 66 to retain his St Jude Classic crown on Sunday, emerging from a crowded field to claim the second US PGA Tour win of his career.
The 24-year-old from Florida, who started the day at TPC Southwind three off the pace, carded four birdies and 14 pars to finish on 10-under 270.
South African Charl Schwartzel and South Korea’s Kim Whee finished a shot adrift on 271.
A cluster of five players, including overnight co-leader Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain, were one shot back on 272.
A playoff had appeared to be looming in the closing stages until Berger produced a superb birdie on the par-4 15th.
After making the green in two, he rolled in a long birdie putt to edge one shot clear of the field. He then played flawlessly over the final three holes to take his lead in the clubhouse.
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