Christina Kim lost a five-stroke lead, but made a par on the second playoff hole to beat Shanshan Feng of China and end a nine-year victory drought on the LPGA Tour by winning the Lorena Ochoa Invitational at Club de Golf Mexico in Mexico City.
The 30-year-old from San Jose won for the first time since the 2005 Tournament of Champions with a two-putt par after Feng was stymied by a tree on her tee shot and made bogey on the second extra hole.
“I’m almost at a loss for words,” said Kim, who claimed her third LPGA Tour victory, including the 2004 Longs Drugs Challenge. “Everybody goes through ebbs and flows in their lives, but with the lows come some highs.
“I’ve had a long history with Lorena. She’s someone I’ve always admired and I tried to emulate her the last four days. I hope I did her proud.”
Kim made bogeys at the 14th and 15th holes to fall into a tie for the lead with Feng, who closed with a 6-under-par 66.
After Kim rebounded with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 to take a one-stroke advantage to the 72nd hole, she made a bogey when she missed a five-foot par putt on the 72nd hole to shoot 71 and force the playoff when Feng carded a par.
Top-ranked Inbee Park of South Korea finished with a 68 and was four strokes back in third, while Brittany Lincicome posted a 69 and tied for fourth with So Yeon Ryu of South Korea, who totaled 71.
Defending champion Lexi Thompson closed with a 73 and tied for 15th.
