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Suwannapura shot a career-best 10-under 61,
playing the back nine in 7-under 28, to match Li at 17-under
196. Tied for 25th entering the day, Li shot a tournament-record
and career-best 60, making her third eagle of the round on 18.
“Lucy was not the easy player to play in a playoff with, so I’m
really glad to play and stay calm and stay within myself, play
my game,” said Suwannapura, who jumped into husband-caddie
Michael Thomas' arms after the winning putt. “Today happened, so
I’m very happy.”
Suwannapura won her third LPGA Tour title, playing the last 22
holes without a bogey. The 31-year-old Thai player also won the
2018 Marathon Classic and teamed with Cydney Clanton to take the
2019 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.
“It’s been a long time, and there is a time that I think I
probably not going to win again,” Suwannapura said. “But today
everything just fall in the right place, right time. And we did
it with my husband is even more special.”
Li, the 21-year-old American who played in the 2014 U.S. Women’s
Open at age 11, missed a chance for her first LPGA Tour victory.
“I had honestly no clue that this was going to happen,” Li said.
“I did not think I was in it at all. I mean, after two
three-putts in the first four holes I was just like, `I don’t
know.′ And then some magic came and I shot 60. Even though I
didn’t win, just this is the greatest thing.”
Sei Young Kim was a stroke back after a 63. She made a 20-footer
for eagle on 18.
Mao Saigo (65) and Arpichaya Yubol (66) tied for fourth at 14
under, and second-round leader Ashleigh Buhai (69) was sixth at
13 under.
University of Arkansas sophomore Maria Marin topped the
Razorbacks contingent in the field, closing with a 69 to tie for
17th at 10 under in her first tour start.
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