Alison Lee Falls in LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship Playoff
Carolta Ciganda wins in playoff (AP Photo)
Incheon, South Korea - Carlota Ciganda beat Alison Lee with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff Sunday at the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship. The Spaniard won her first LPGA Tour title with a putt. Lee missed a birdie chip from the rough to try to extend the playoff but it fell just a few inches short.
Ciganda overcame a five stroke deficit to Lee and held a four stroke lead after 10 holes, but she blew a five stroke lead on the final five holes. Needing a par on 18 for her first victory, Lee hit a wedge that hit off a bank and bounced into the water. She was able to drop a few feet off the right edge of the green. With the pressure mounting Lee dropped a five footer to force the playoff.
"The last three, four holes I was pretty nervous," Ciganda said. "I was on 18 I saw I was 1-down and I couldn't believe it. So it's just golf. Only one can win. Anything can happen in the last few holes."
In tears after the round, Lee declined to speak the media following the closest she has been to winner on tour. The 21-year-old American, still a student at UCLA, is in her second season on the tour.
Second-ranked Ariya Jutanugarn (69) finished four under par while Top-ranked Lydia Ko closed with a 74 to tie for 51st at three over par. She has four victories this year, one behind Jutanugarn for the tour lead.
Ciganda is the third European winner this year, joining Sweden's Anna Nordqvist and Germany's Caroline Masson.
"I think you have to enjoy life first, enjoy being out there, and then the win just comes to you," Ciganda said. "Like I think if you are really looking for the win, it's tough because you put more pressure. I think when you let it happen, that's when it happens."
