Imirim's 'Chip In Eagle' Comeback Show "I am the Major Queen" (Summary)

ANA Inspiration Extended Battle for First Major Win, Korda and Henderson Tied for 2nd, Park In-bi 37th

Im Lim is performing a ceremony of jumping into the lake immediately after winning the ANA Inspiration in a playoff. Rancho Mirage, California, USA = Getty Images / MultiBits Photo by MultiBits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Imi-rim (30, NH Investment & Securities) has ascended to 'Major Queen'.

On the 14th (Korean time), at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Rancho Mirage, California, USA (par 72, 6,799 yards), the second major of the 2020 LPGA Tour season, the ANA Inspiration (total prize money $3.1 million), concluded. Imi-rim shot 5 under par on the final day to tie with Nelly Korda (USA) and Brooke Henderson (Canada) at 15 under par 273, then sank a precious 'winning birdie' on the first hole of the playoff resumed at the 18th hole (par 5).

This is her 4th career win and first major victory, coming 3 years and 6 months after the Kia Classic in March 2017. The winner's prize money is $465,000 (about 550 million KRW). She became the sixth Korean champion of this tournament following Ji-eun Park (41) in 2004, Sun-young Yoo (34) in 2012, In-bi Park (32, KB Financial Group) in 2013, So-yeon Ryu (30, Mediheal) in 2017, and Jin-young Ko (25) last year. Along with Hee-young Park (33, Isu Group, ISPS Handa Vic Open) and In-bi Park (ISPS Handa Australian Ladies Open), she secured her third win of the season.

Imi-rim started from a tie for 3rd place, 2 strokes behind, and recorded 1 eagle, 4 birdies, and 1 bogey. She swept up 4 birdies over 16 holes, including chip-in birdies on the 6th and 16th holes (both par 4), engaging in a fierce battle for the title. She faced a crisis after missing a 1-meter par putt on the 17th hole (par 3), but dramatically joined the playoff with a chip-in eagle attempt behind the 18th green. On the first playoff hole, she sealed the victory with a 2-meter downhill birdie putt.

Imirim is smiling brightly holding the trophy right after winning the final day of the ANA Inspiration. Rancho Mirage, California, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

Imi-rim is a player who won 3 times on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour before moving to the U.S. stage in 2014. In her first year, she won twice at the Meijer Classic and the Rainwood Classic, but after her third win in 2017, she suffered a 'win drought.' This year, she showed unstable form, missing the cut in both tournaments she entered. However, this time she collected the major trophy by relying on an average drive of 269 yards and 27 'stingy putts' per round.

Her previous best major finish was a tie for 2nd at the 2016 Women's British Open. Imi-rim celebrated with her signature victory ceremony of jumping into the 'Lady's Pond (Poppie's Pond)' beside the 18th green with her caddie, cheering loudly. "Something unbelievable happened," said Imi-rim, "Before the playoff, I just thought to finish quickly without any thoughts," and she shed tears of joy, adding, "I think I won because many people cheered for me."

Henderson and Korda were satisfied with runner-up positions. Lexi Thompson finished 4th (13 under par 275), and Stacy Lewis (both USA) performed well in 5th place (12 under par 276). For Korea, Hee-young Yang (31, Woori Financial Group) and Mi-hyang Lee (27, Volvik) tied for 15th (7 under par 281), In-ji Jeon (26, KB Financial Group) and Se-young Kim (27, Mirae Asset) tied for 18th (6 under par 282), In-bi Park tied for 37th (1 under par 287), and Sung-hyun Park (27) tied for 40th (even par 288).