Jeeno Thitikul makes dramatic comeback to win LPGA Shanghai title after five-hole playoff | Golf News

Jeeno Thitikul pulled off a come-from-behind win to win the LPGA Shanghai title.

Thitikul came back from four shots back with five holes to play to force Minami Katsu into a playoff, before producing another exceptional shot on the fifth playoff hole to become the first two-time LPGA Tour winner of the season.

Thitikul’s top-ranking round of 63 was the round of the day and included seven birdies and an eagle. The Thai’s 24-under 264 closed out what looked like a comfortable margin for Japanese leader Katsu, who started the day leading by two shots and then extended that to four after the 13th minute.

But the Thai starred with birdies on the 14th, 15th and 16th, before a stunning eagle birdie birdieed the ball along the 17th green at Qizong Garden Golf Club in Shanghai to tie the game.

Katsu (65) could only answer with a birdie putt of her own on the 17th, but had another chance on the final hole to take home the win only for the ball to slide across the hole and carry them to a playoff.

Pars through the first four playoff holes, rotated between the 18th and 10th, included Katsu getting two birdie putts to win only to miss the hole on both by narrow margins.

On the fifth playoff hole, the deadlock was broken when Thitikul putt the ball to three feet, while Katsu’s second shot fell just wide of the green on the 18th.

Katsu’s birdie putt was impressive but she missed, leaving Thitikul a simple birdie putt for an impressive victory nearly two years after losing an epic nine-hole playoff to Celine Pottier at the LPGA Malaysia.

Minji Lee, who won her third major title at the Women’s PGA Championship in June, shot 68 on Sunday for a 19-under 269 as her challenge faded through the middle portion of the round for third place.

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