Pettersen beats Salas for LPGA playoff win

Norway’s Suzann Pettersen two-putted for par on the first playoff hole Saturday to beat American Lizette Salas in the LPGA Lotte Championship.

Pettersen bogeyed the final hole of regulation in a five-under 67. Salas saw a birdie attempt at the last lip out, but closed with a course-record 10-under 62 at Ko Olina to join Pettersen on 19-under par 269.

They shattered the tournament’s 72-hole scoring record of 276 — set by Japan’s Ai Miyazato when she won last year.

Pettersen and Salas went back to the 18th tee for the playoff and both were in the fairway off the tee.

Pettersen’s approach was some 20 feet left of the pin.

Salas, playing in her first LPGA Tour playoff, hit her second shot into the water. She hit her fourth to 15 feet.

Pettersen left her birdie attempt two feet short. Salas’s putt for bogey was left and after she tapped in for a double-bogey Pettersen calmly made her par putt to secure her 11th LPGA title.

Thai teen Ariya Jutanugarn — the first-round leader on Wednesday, closed with a six-under par66 for third place on 273.

World No. 1 Park In-Bee of South Korea carded a 67 and compatriot I.K. Kim a 65 to share fourth on 275.

Miyazato managed an even par 72 in the final round and was tied with South Korean Choi Na-Yeon (66) and American Jessica Korda (69) on 277.

Stacy Lewis, replaced by Park atop the world rankings last week carded a 71 that put her among six players tied for ninth on 10-under 278.

The group also included 15-year-old New Zealand amateur sensation Lydia Ko, who carded an impressive final-round 66.

Karrie Webb finished in equal 17th, 11 shots off the pace, as the best-placed Australian.

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