Thailand's Kusuma ends 10-year title drought with play-off victory
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Thailand's Kusuma ends 10-year title drought with play-off victory

Happy ending: Kusuma Meechai celebrates with the CTBC Ladies Classic trophy.
Happy ending: Kusuma Meechai celebrates with the CTBC Ladies Classic trophy.

Jiangsu: Kusuma Meechai picked up her first victory in a decade on Friday when the Thai veteran beat compatriot Pakin Kawinpakorn in a second-hole play-off to win the CTBC Ladies Classic on the China LPGA Tour.

With Pakin (70) and Kusuma (68) deadlocked at five-under 211 through 54 holes at Shanghai Silport Golf Club, the Sa Kaeo native ended the contest when she sank a three-foot birdie in the second extra hole on the par-five 18th.

It was Kusuma's first victory since winning the 2013 Wuhan Challenge.

China's Shi Yuli (70) and Zeng Liqi (70) finished one shot out of the play-off, while Cao Xinyu (69) was the top amateur a shot further back.

"I worked hard and tried a lot. This is my second title in China. The first was in Wuhan many years ago. I am so happy," said Kusuma, 28.

"I want more wins, so I will keep working harder and harder to get the next one. This win gives me more confidence."

Pakin, a standout at Kansas University, had a rough start with a bogey five at the first hole, followed by a triple bogey at the 158-yard sixth when her tee shot hit the water to make the turn at 37.

She then closed with a bogey-free back nine featuring three birdies.

"It was a fun week for me. I did my best. I couldn't ask for more because on the front nine I had a triple bogey and then I had a lot of birdies coming in. It was a fun round for me chasing the championship," said the 32-year-old Pakin who has been winless on the CLPGA Tour since 2018 when she won the CLPGA Zhuhai Heritage.

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