MIDLAND, Michigan — Jin-hee poured an 8-foot birdie putt into the first playoff hole Sunday, as Laksi Thompson rejected his first LPGA Tour title in six years and poured an 8-foot birdie putt into the first playoff hole to team up with fellow Korean Somilies to win the Dow Championship.
Thompson’s partner Megan Kang had the opportunity to extend the playoffs, but she missed a five-foot birdie putt on the lower side of the hole from the start.
Thompson made an 8-foot birdie putt on the par 3 18th hole, and Kang was still facing a 6-foot birdie attempt. They first posted with 20 under 260.
Lee made a 10-foot birdie putt to win the lead on the 17th. Im and Lee missed a birdie chance on the 18th with restrictions for victory.
The playoffs have switched to Foursome. Thompson hit a tee shot from the right 5 feet of the cup on the 18th. Lee approached the pin, but was 8 feet long and set up an IM for the winning putt.
“We’re missing out on losing the final one in the playoffs and forcing another hole, but I’m very happy how we played,” Kang said.
Thompson has not won since the 2019 ShopRite LPGA Classic and has decided not to play a full schedule last summer. The Dow Championship was the eighth tournament this year.
Im and Lee are in their second year on the LPGA Tour, and while this was their first title in the US, they were both prolific winners at the Korean LPGA. I have won the KLPGA six times, but Lee has five KLPGA titles.
“I don’t believe it,” Lee said as it ended on the 18th green.
Lindy Duncan and Miranda Wang had 59 in a better ball format, tied up on the third two shots from the playoffs. They joined Manon de Rohe and Pauline Rusin Bouchard and teamed up at the age of 64.
Albambarenzuela and Saraschmerzell, who took a 54-hole lead, closed at 66 and failed to make a birdie on the final seven holes. They finished fifth and three shots.
Thompson didn’t show when he would play again. Next up on the LPGA schedule is the Evian Championship in France. Thompson’s major skips every year to 2019.
The Dow Championship is the only official team event on the LPGA schedule.
