England’s Bronte Law battled back from ten shots behind the leaders before losing in a play-off, as South Korean Sei Young Kim won the LPGA Tour’s Mediheal Championship held at Lake Merced Golf Club in California.
Law tied for the lead after a brilliant seven-under-par 65 saw her move up from 20th. The 24-year-old from Stockport carded three successive birdies from the 10th before an eagle at the par-five 15th put her into contention to win her first LPGA Tour event.
But Kim, who finished with a three-over-par 75, won the play-off with a par at the first extra hole, after bogeys from compatriot Jeongeun Lee and Law.
Law, who picked up $142,055 for her runner-up finish, moved up to the 43rd in the world rankings on the back of her impressive performance. She also rose into the top five of the Solheim Cup points list, and looks sure to play a leading role for Europe when the matches tee off at Gleneagles in September.
“My golf is in a good place right now,” said Law, who had missed the cut in her two previous outings. “If someone had told me I was going to be in a play-off at the start of the day, I would have told them that they were crazy.”
Charley Hull, who was seeking her second LPGA Tour title, finished tied for fourth – two shots off the pace – after shooting a closing 74.