Spain’s Carlota Ciganda shot 70 on Sunday to catch a struggling Alison Lee in regulation and then won the Ha Na Championship playoff with a birdie on the first extra hole.
‘It means the world me,’ said the first-time LPGA Tour winner. ‘It’s pretty nice to win here in Korea where women’s golf is so big. It’s been a long journey, but at the same time it’s really nice to get the win. I love competing and playing and being an athlete. I couldn’t ask for a better life.’
Ciganda flew out the blocks with five birdies on the front side, but faltered coming home and settled for a round of 70 at Sky 72 Golf Club which took her to 10 under par or the tournament and a tie for first place.
One extra trip down the 18th later she was a champion after four years on the LPGA Tour.
‘Obviously I started playing very solid and the day wasn’t easy. I just was thinking to myself, Just stay in the present. Try to hit the next shot the best I can,’ she said. ‘It’s not that I was giving up or anything. It’s very special because it’s been tough the last two years. At the same time, I like fighting and everything.’
Shanshan Feng and Min-Sun Kim shared third place on eight under par, while Brittany Lang and Mi Jung Hur tied for fifth place on seven under par.
Lee-Anne Pace was the lone South African in the field and really struggled on Sunday, carding a ‘snowman’ 80 tied for 69th place on 13 over par.
