LPGA ANA Inspiration 2015: Leaderboard Analysis and Highlights from Sunday
A back nine of spellbinding twists and turns saw the final round of the 2015 ANA Inspiration live up to its billing in a thrilling conclusion to the LPGA season's maiden major.
Previous world No. 1 Stacy Lewis missed three separate birdie attempts to clinch the trophy on the par-five 18th hole. Using an eagle on the 72nd hole as a springboard, Brittany Lincicome emerged victorious on the third hole of a playoff Sunday in Rancho Mirage, California.
| 1 | Brittany Lincicome | 72-68-70-69 | -9 |
| 2 (lost in playoff) | Stacy Lewis | 72-69-68-70 | -9 |
| 3 | Morgan Pressel | 67-72-71-70 | -8 |
| T4 | Carlota Ciganda | 74-71-68-68 | -7 |
| T4 | Anna Nordqvist | 71-72-69-69 | -7 |
| T4 | Sei Young Kim | 72-65-69-75 | -7 |
| 7 | Lexi Thompson | 72-69-71-70 | -6 |
| T8 | Suzann Pettersen | 76-68-72-67 | -5 |
| T8 | Mi Hyang Lee | 74-68-70-71 | -5 |
| T8 | Shanshan Feng | 71-70-70-72 | -5 |
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
The 2009 tournament champion came out on top against the 2011 winner with a par on the third and final extra hole, as the pair played the par-five last three times.
Jay Coffin of the Golf Channel was among those rather shocked that Lewis didn't slam the door on at least one of her golden opportunities for a third career major:
A sand-filled divot in the middle of the fairway beset Lewis on her third shot, causing her to come up short of the green. Her subsequent pitch came up well short, and she settled for bogey before Lincicome two-putted to victory.
Rick Young of SCOREGolf empathized with Lewis:
Lewis missed a birdie on Mission Hills Country Club's closing par five to settle for a two-under round of 70, while Lincicome rolled in an eagle for a 69 to secure a spot in the playoff.
The Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman referenced the peculiar parallel between Lincicome's two major wins after the playoff finished:
Each playoff participant had uphill birdie putts on the second extra hole, and Lincicome couldn't have struck her's much better without it going in. On a slightly different line, Lewis had almost the exact same result.
Golf Digest's Stina Sternberg hinted at the limited daylight factoring into such a massive tournament:
LPGA rookie Sei Young Kim entered Sunday with a three-shot lead but ultimately succumbed to the pressure and fell out of contention toward the end.
A double bogey at the par-four fourth offset two birdies on the front nine, and Kim's last nine was a roller coaster, to say the least. Mike O'Malley of Golf Digest explained:
Kim settled for par at the last, marking a rare point of stability in her eventful run to the finish. Seven three-putts for the week really hurt the 22-year-old's chances of a career-changing win.
The following quote from Kim on Saturday seemed appropriate after she shot a final-round 75, per The Associated Press (via ESPN.com): "I feel a little bit pressured right now. Back in Korea, when I was playing on the Korean tour, I was known for coming from behind and winning tournaments. But to be in the lead going into the final round on the LPGA is fairly new for me."
The 10-foot putt Lewis left herself for the win in regulation missed on the lower left side without hitting the cup. She drained a nervy comeback putt to force extra holes.
Retired legend Annika Sorenstam tweeted something quite prescient just before Lewis and Lincicome returned to the 18th tee to begin deciding the championship in extra holes:
Tremendous length gave Lincicome a prospective edge on the par five, but after Lewis found the right rough, Lincicome overcooked a draw that found the left primary cut. This prevented her from going at the green in two.
A short approach from the fairway saw Lewis hit it just outside of where she was the first time she played the 18th Sunday. Lincicome's layup found the rough, causing her third to release through the back of the green.
Both playoff participants missed, with Lewis' second winning attempt losing just enough steam and finishing again on the low side to the left. They had to return to the 18th tee box twice more as darkness closed in, setting the stage for a superb, scenic sunset finish.
This marks the third runner-up finish for Lewis this season, which shows just how close she's been to far greater success. As talented, competitive and determined as Lewis has proven to be over the years, she should only be further fueled to continue performing at an elite level.
The second major win of Lincicome's career also marks her first victory of any kind since 2011. The breakthrough has to give her a much needed lift after years of being unable to seal the deal in an event.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
