South Korean Inbee Park has claimed her third straight KPMG Women’s PGA Championship title and moved back to the top of the rankings in the process.
The 26-year-old, who took a two-shot lead into the final day and finished with a flawless five-under 68, is only the second player after Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam to win the tournament three times in a row.
Two-time reigning champion Park triumphed by play-off in both 2013 and 2014, but things were much more comfortable for her this time around at Westchester Country Club.
Her nearest competitor, and compatriot, Kim Sei-young made things interesting with five birdies and two bogeys on the first eight holes to sit just one behind Park on 15 under at that point.
But while Park picked up a shot on the final hole before the turn, Kim hit a double bogey, and that three shot swing was enough to see Park pull clear before adding further birdies on 10 and 18 to finish on 19 under. Kim could only find two birdies and a bogey on the back nine.
Park’s victory lifts her back to first place in the world rankings, usurping New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, who failed to make the cut in New York.
“I played great the last three days,” Park told Sky Sports News HQ. “I couldn’t believe myself. I made no bogeys for three days.
“I don’t know what word can describe how I feel right now. I’m so thrilled and so honoured to be in this position, and I do things that I can’t even believe.”
Lexi Thompson was the highest-placed American, finishing third a shot behind Kim, while her compatriots Brittany Lincicome and Morgan Pressel were just behind her – with the latter tied for fifth with Canadian Brooke M Henderson on 10 under.