Kupcho wins Meijer LPGA Classic in playoff

WASHINGTON: Jennifer Kupcho survived a roller coaster of a round to win the Meijer LPGA Classic with a birdie at the second playoff hole, denying 2021 champion Nelly Korda and Irish Solheim Cup star Leona Maguire.

After failing to clinch the playoff at the first hole — where she missed an eagle putt from inside four feet, Kupcho two-putted from the fringe at the second playoff hole, again the par-5 18th, to seal it.

Maguire had a chance to extend the playoff, but her two-foot birdie putt lipped out.

Korda was eliminated with a par at the first playoff hole as both Kupcho and Maguire came up with birdies.

“It’s been really special,” said Kupcho, who added a second LPGA victory to the major title she captured at the Chevron Championship in April.

“I mean, this leaderboard was stacked. I think that’s what I’m most proud of is the players that were up there with me — it was a very close battle to the end and I’m proud of it.”

Kupcho started the day one off Korda’s lead and was in trouble early with a double bogey at the third and a bogey at the sixth.

She regrouped to card a 1-under 71 for an 18-under total of 270, where she was joined by Korda — who needed a birdie at the 72nd hole to cap an even par round and make the playoff — and Maguire, who stormed to the top with a 7-under 65.

New Zealand’s former world No. 1 Lydia Ko was alone in fourth after a bogey-free 68 for 271.

Kupcho, who opened the week with a career-best 63 and also led after the second round, rolled in a long eagle putt to start turning things around at the eighth. She added a birdie at the ninth then saw another long birdie putt curl just enough to drop into the side of the cup at 12.

She would add another birdie to take a one-shot lead, but a