Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul won the JTBC Classic this Sunday in the play-off against Nanna Koerstz Madsen and signed her first title on the LPGA Tour. The French have not passed the test of the cut.

Atthaya Thitikul wins his first LPGA title

©LPGA Tour via Twitter

After Koerstz Madsen's putt hit the edge of the hole and stayed outside resulting in a bogey, 19-year-old Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand rolled her 3-yard putt for par and scored for the win.

"It's just crazy in my head right now", Thitikul said. “I can't believe I became a winner on the LPGA Tour. It's an incredible feeling. »

"A lot of things go through my mind," Thitikul said. But the thing I really want to focus on is: "play your every shot". Like, "If you lose, if you win," it's another chance to learn. So do your best every time That's all. »

At 19 years and 25 days, Thitikul is the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour since Brooke Henderson at the 2016 Portland Classic, at 18 years, 9 months and 23 days. The Thai player also has two victories on the Ladies European Tour.

Koerstz Madsen lost for two weeks after winning a playoff in Thailand to become the first Danish champion in LPGA Tour history.

They tied the pars on the first playoff hole of 18, Thitikul missing a birdie attempt from 2,5m. Koerstz Madsen drove left on the second playoff hole and hit his second shot from an awkward position near the cart part in the water on the side of the green.

"It's a tough shot"said Koerstz Madsen. “He's a hybrid from the rough – and not a very good lie, above the feet. I just tried not to hit her too hard from that lie, and then obviously I didn't play it. I pushed her instead. »

Thitikul shot 64, with nine birdies and a bogey, which allowed him to post a score of 272 (-16), at Aviara Golf Club, in the last event before the first major of the season, the next week at Mission Hills, Rancho Mirage.

Koerstz Madsen, who was three shots ahead of Na Rin An and six over Thitikul at the start of the round, shot 70. She took the lead with a birdie on the par-17 5, then made a bogey at 18 to end up in the playoff.

“It was not a very good playoff”said Koerstz Madsen. “I played a good week and I'm happy with my game. Maybe I could have done a little better today, but that was all I could do. »

An was third at 15 under par with a score of 68.

“I think I played well overall, but there were a few parts that were a little disappointing”, said An. "With a major tournament next week, I want to focus even more on my game."

Jin Young Ko (68), ranked first, is 14 under par with Pajaree Anannarukarn (68) and Maude-Aimée Leblanc (68). After a victory three weeks ago in Singapore, Ko extended her record of consecutive rounds below 34. She has won six of her last 11 tournaments.

“I am very excited to play the major tournament next week”said Ko. “But it's a bit sad, too, the last tournament in Mission Hills. »

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JTBC Classic presented by Barbasol