ISPS Hanwha World Invitational Final Day Anannarukan Wins with Birdie on First Extra Hole, Tolli Finishes 2nd
Choi Woon-jung is teeing off on the 1st hole on the final day of the ISPS Handa World Invitational. Ballymena (Northern Ireland) = Getty Images / Multibits
[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "A disappointing top 5."
Choi Woon-jung (31, Volvik)'s march to victory stopped at a tie for 5th place (12-under 279). On the final day of the LPGA Tour ISPS Handa World Invitational (total prize money $1.5 million) held at Galgorm Castle Golf Club (par 73) in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, in the early hours of the 2nd (Korean time), she faltered with an even-par round. Paraj Anannarukarn (Thailand) rose to a tie for first place (16-under 275) with Emma Talley (USA) and ultimately clinched the ‘winning par’ on the second hole of the resumed playoff at the 18th hole (par 5), causing a stir.
Choi Woon-jung was the 2015 July Marathon Classic champion. After joining the LPGA Tour in 2009, she made big news by succeeding on her 157th attempt in 156 starts, ending a six-year wait. In 2014, she became the first Korean to receive the William and Mousie Powell Award, given to exemplary players, and earned the nickname "Iron Lady" due to her thorough self-management. In this tournament, she especially raised expectations for victory by making a strong start with 7-under on the first day.
She hovered around the winning zone?3 strokes behind in 2nd place after round 2, 1 stroke behind in 4th place after round 3?but fell short by ‘2%’ with 2 birdies and 2 bogeys at the end. A bogey on the 2nd hole (par 4) made for a shaky start, and although she made 2 birdies on the 3rd hole (par 5) and 7th hole (par 3), a bogey on the 13th hole (par 4) halted her momentum. For Choi Woon-jung, this is her first ‘top 5’ finish of the 2021 season and a consolation. She said, "I gained confidence," and added her determination: "I will challenge for victory again in Europe at the Scottish Women’s Open on the 12th and the AIG Women’s Open on the 19th."
Pajari Anannalukan is cheering while holding the trophy immediately after winning the ISPS Handa World Invitational. Ballymena (Northern Ireland) = Getty Images / Multibitz
It is interesting that Anannarukarn accelerated the ‘Thai wave.’ She was a player who drew attention by staying in the leading group throughout the 4 rounds of the fourth major, the Amundi Evian Championship, which ended on the 26th of last month. Starting the day tied for first, she shot 3-under, overcoming a triple bogey on the 6th hole (par 4), which drew even more attention. Her aggressive play, featuring 23 ‘stingy putts,’ racking up 7 birdies (1 bogey), stood out. This marks Thailand’s 4th win.
Talley finished 2nd, Jennifer Kupcho (USA) 3rd (15-under 276). Kupcho’s third shot on the final 18th hole (par 5) flew into a pond, hampering her. Locally, it became a side story that Kupcho’s caddie, Patrick Smith, is Talley’s boyfriend. Talley drew a line, saying, "It’s a strange situation, but we are both just dedicated to our professions." Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand) placed 4th (13-under 278), and Kwak Min-seo (31) tied for 17th (8-under 283).
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