Ex-Queen Sirikit Cup Trio Contest LPGA Tour Play-Off

Los Angeles, United States: In what’s believed to be a first for Asian golf, a trio of former Queen Sirikit Cup participants battled it out for LPGA Tour glory in a sudden-death play-off.

After 72 holes at the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro, Australian Hannah Green, China’s Lin Xiyu and Indian Aditi Ashok were locked together at the top of the leaderboard on nine-under 275.

With a total of eight Queen Sirikit Cup appearances between them, the threesome returned to the Wilshire Country Club for a play-off.

Aditi dropped out at the par-three 18th after she failed to birdie the first extra hole. At the second extra hole it was Green who prevailed, claiming her third LPGA Tour title with a par as Lin bogeyed from the sand, also on 18.

Remarkably, the two players who finished in a share of fourth place just one shot shy of joining the play-off also competed in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Ladies Golf Team Championship for the Queen Sirikit Cup prior to turning professional.

With a closing 65, Japan’s Ayaka Furue and China’s Yin Ruoning, who posted a final round 67, ended on eight-under 276 – one stroke ahead of world number one Nelly Korda.

Minjee Lee, Lydia Ko, Kim Hyo-joo, Yuka Saso, Patty Tavatanakit and Green are among a host of former Queen Sirikit Cup participants to go on and win professional Major titles. However, it’s believed this is the first time the top-five in an LPGA Tour event all played in the Queen Sirikit Cup.

In the wake of her first LPGA Tour win for four years, Green struggled to keep her emotions in check.

“It’s been a long few years. I played really well last year, but getting it across the line has been very difficult. So, I’m really proud of myself for hanging in there because I really didn’t think that I’d be in it with how I was playing and making so many putts. I’m really happy, but the emotions are coming out,” said Green, winner of the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Ashok led the tournament at the half-way stage after rounds of 66 and 70, making her first cut in four LPGA starts this year.

“I think overall it's a good week. I've never played in this position on the LPGA, to be near the lead on the first day, kind of stay there the whole tournament.

“The competition is just so deep out here – 10 people have a good tournament but only one can win. I'm happy with the way I played,” said 25-year-old Ashok, who is a four-time winner on the Ladies European Tour.

Like Ashok, Lin is still seeking her maiden LPGA Tour triumph. While this was Ashok’s first runner-up finish on the LPGA Tour, for 27-year-old Lin it was the fourth occasion she’s narrowly missed out.

Ashok represented India in the Queen Sirikit Cup in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, overlapping with Green who participated in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Lin’s sole appearances was in 2011.

Furue played in 2017 and 2018, the year in which Yin was in the China team.