Brooke Henderson caught Lydia Ko on the back nine and forced a playoff in the KMPG Women’s PGA Championship.
However, the 18-year-old from Canada saved special for last, hitting her approach shot to within three feet on the first playoff hole to set up a birdie that knocked off the No. 1 player in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash.
“That’s amazing to think about all of the incredible players that have come before me,” said Henderson, who sank a 90-foot eagle putt from off the 11th green en route to a bogey-free 65. “I was reading some of the names on this trophy and it’s very, very cool.
” … When that putt went in on No.11 for eagle, that was kind of like the huge jump forward, huge momentum changer. And then things just went pretty well. A good save on 14 out of the bunker. And then good putts on 17 (from 36 feet for birdie) and 18 (from 20 feet for par) to kind of finish it.
” … It was an amazing day for sure. I knew I would have to do something special to beat her, and I was able to do that.”
Henderson, who claimed her second LPGA Tour victory, became the youngest winner in the 62-year history of the tournament.
Ko, 19, from New Zealand, was trying to win a third straight major and didn’t actually give it away, shooting a bogey-free 67.
She missed her 20-foot birdie putt before Henderson, who will climb to No. 2 in the rankings, holed the winner.
“If it wasn’t for my putter, especially the second day, I wouldn’t even be in this position,” said Ko, who took a one-stroke lead into the final round. “This is a tough course, there was a lot of grinding this week. Even though I’m not the winner at the end of the day, there are still a lot of positives to take away. It was a great experience, and to be alongside Brooke to do it, it was great.
” … It wouldn’t be pretty if I was crying on this table, eyeliner going everywhere. I’m always worried about my makeup.”
Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, who won her last three events, recorded a bogey-free 66 to finish one stroke back in third, while three South Koreans — Hee Young Park (66), So Yeon Ryu (67) and Mirim Lee (69) were four shots behind in a tie for fourth.
Amy Yang of Australia shot 70 and was another shot down in solo seventh, while Su Oh of Australia also recorded a 70 and was one more back in a tie for eighth with Anna Nordqvist of Sweden and Chella Choi of South Korea, who both totaled 71.
