Shin Ji-yai wins on LPGA Tour in playoff

South Korean Shin Ji-yai defeated American Paula Creamer in a record playoff battle on Monday for her first LPGA Tour win in nearly two years.

At the Kingsmill Championship on the River Course of Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia, Shin parred the ninth playoff hole to edge Creamer, who three-putted for bogey.

The playoff was the longest between two players in LPGA Tour history, breaking the record of seven holes set when Cristie Kerr beat Jeon Seol-an at the 2004 Takefuji Classic.

Jo Ann Prentice won the 1972 Corpus Christi Civitan Open on the 10th hole of a playoff that involved three players.

Shin and Creamer couldn't break their deadlock after playing the par-4 18th eight times Sunday evening local time. Play was suspended due to darkness as the players stood on the 18th tee for the ninth time.

When the playoff resumed, the players started on the 405-yard, par-4 16th. Both found fairways with their tee shots, and Creamer ended about 20 feet below the hole with her approach, while Shin put her second shot past the hole, slightly closer to the cup than Creamer.

After both missed their birdie attempts, Creamer had her par putt lip out. Shin calmly drained her par attempt for her ninth

LPGA victory and the winner's prize of $195,000.

Shin and Creamer ended the regulation tied at 16-under. Shin, who began the final two shots behind Creamer, shot a 69 with four birdies and two bogeys, while the American managed an even-par 71 in a round that included two bogeys and a double bogey.

(Yonhap News)