Thailand's Anannarukarn holds off Furue to win LPGA Match Play

Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand capped off the longest week on the LPGA Tour with a 3-and-1 victory Sunday to win the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play over Ayaka Furue of Japan.

The Thai kept up the pressure on a hot day north of Las Vegas, with both players carrying umbrellas under a bright blue sky to fend off the sun. But right when it looked as though fatigue was setting in from playing seven matches in five days, they produced some of their best shots.

Furue simply couldn't catch up, and finished runner-up for the second straight year.

"Match Play is taking a lot of energy throughout the week," Anannarukarn said. "I'm really soaking it in right now. It's been a great week, and I'm grateful for everything."

You know she meant for that to happen!<a href="https://twitter.com/MeawPajaree?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MeawPajaree</a> has birdied hole-14 three matches in a row! <a href="https://t.co/W4XAwGiuWX">pic.twitter.com/W4XAwGiuWX</a>

The match ended on the par-3 17th when Anannarukarn drilled her tee shot to a right pin about 6 feet to the right of the hole and Furue found a back bunker. Furue's bunker shot hit the left side of the hole — had it hit the pin it might have dropped — and rolled out some 12 feet. She conceded the match.

Anannarukarn won for the second time on the LPGA Tour, and the first time since ISPS Handa World Invitational in Northern Ireland in 2021, a tournament co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour.

Two days ago, it looked as though she might get eliminated. Anannarukarn lost on the 18th hole to Karis Davidson of Australia, forcing a sudden-death playoff. Anannarukarn hit a tee shot that sank deep into a divot in the first cut. She hit perhaps her most important shot of the week, gouging it out and