Australian veteran Karrie Webb has come agonisingly close to winning her eighth career major, finishing one stroke behind Hyo-Joo Kim at the Evian Championship in France.
In a dramatic finale on Sunday, the South Korean teenager upstaged the experienced Webb, holding her nerve to sink a 15-foot birdie putt at the 18th.
Webb, who was also aiming to become the first player to win six different majors in her stellar career, took a one-stroke lead into the 18th.
But after watching Kim grab a birdie, Webb missed a chance to force a playoff when a difficult attempt for par from 12 feet drifted left of the hole.
Even 19-year-old Kim looked stunned – and Webb was left shell-shocked.
“I don’t know what hit me,” was her immediate reaction.
“It was a rush of adrenaline with the belly wedge and the putt was faster than I thought.
“It was a very poor putt and I knew I had to make it for a playoff.
“I had a lot of good shots and hit every green bar the second hole and it’s obviously disappointing but I gave myself a good chance.”
Australia’s rising star, 18-year-old Minjee Lee, tied for 16th on her professional debut alongside World No.1 Stacy Lewis while New Zealand’s world No.3 Lydia Ko earned a share of eighth place on four-under par.
Kim had shot a final round 68 and the 11-under par total secured the 350,000 euro ($A525,000) prize and the added bonus of a free pass onto next season’s LPGA Tour.
Webb also shot 68 for second place on ten under with another two South Koreans, Jang Ha-Na (66) and Hur Mi Jung (68) tied for third on nine under.
Kim started the final round one shot ahead of playing partner Webb and was two ahead of everyone by the turn and three in front with just six holes to play.
But Webb, a seven-time major winner, then launched a typically gutsy attack, potting birdies on the short 14th and the long 15th.
Kim bogeyed 14 and dropped another shot at the 16th to suddenly find herself one behind with two to play.
At the 17th, she chunked her second shot but managed to salvage a par and then the 18th hole birdie sealed it.
“I felt really nervous today but I’m very happy with the win,” said Kim through an interpreter.
“The course is hilly – just like in Korea.”
