Megan Khang entered the winner’s circle for the first time in her LPGA Tour career after claiming the CPKC Women’s Open in a playoff. The 25-year-old American overcame Jin Young Ko at the first extra hole. Australia’s Hannah Green enjoyed a strong week taking a share of fourth place three shots back.
In search of her maiden LPGA Tour win, Khang took a three-shot lead into Sunday after she birdied four of her last five holes on Saturday. Before this week at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, Vancouver, the world No. 27 had banked 33 top 10s from 190 starts during seven and a half seasons. Since 2016, it was the most top 10 finishes by a player without a win.
Khang started nervously on Sunday in pursuit of her breakthrough victory dropping three shots over the opening 10 holes. With her three-shot lead evaporated, the two-time Solheim Cup team member bounced back with birdies at the 11th and 12th holes to regain top spot on the leaderboard. Khang held a one-shot lead over Ko and playing partner Sei Young Kim with three holes to play. However, Ko made a birdie at the 16th hole and got to the clubhouse holding a narrow one-shot lead after Khang made a bogey at the 17th hole. Khang needing a birdie at the 18th hole to force a playoff. The task was made more difficult by the fact the final hole on the card ranked the hardest on Sunday. Khang drilled her iron approach at the tough par 4 to six feet and rolled the putt into the cup. Both players finished the 72 holes of regulation at 9-under. Khang won her first career playoff with a par.
Ko, aged 28, was looking for her 16th LPGA Tour title. The world No. 4 has collected more LPGA Tour wins since 2017 than any other player. Ko has recorded two wins this season including her last victory, which came at the Cognizant Founders Cup in May when she began the final round four shots behind Minjee Lee.
China’s Ruoning Yin vaulted into solo third place after firing the best round by the field on Sunday. The 20-year-old, who is world No. 5, signed for a stunning bogey-free 6-under 66 to reach 7-under. Ruoning has won two LPGA Tour titles this season including a major victory at the Women’s PGA Championship.
Hannah Green was the best-placed Australian in the field. The 26-year-old from Perth carded a final round 3-under 69 to get to 6-under. The world No. 23, who won the JM Eagle LA Championship, finished T4 for her second top 10 of the season. Green was joined at 6-under by Korea’s Sei Young Kim, who fell back with a final round 2-over 74. Kim, aged 30, scored two eagles on Saturday, which included an ace at the par 3, 8th hole where she holed out her 5-iron approach.
The LPGA Tour moves to Oregon for next week’s Portland Classic to be staged at Columbia Edgewater Country Club. America’s Andrea Lee is the defending champion.
1. Megan Khang -9
2. Jin Young Ko -9
3. Ruoning Yin -7
T4. Hannah Green -6
T4. Sei Young Kim -6
T6. Lauren Coughlin -5
T6. Linn Grant -5
Other Australians
T19. Gabriella Ruffels E
T22. Karis Davidson +1
T22. Minjee Lee +1
MC. Grace Kim
MC. Su Oh
MC. Stephanie Kyriacou
Photo credit: Vaughn Ridley/ Getty Images
