Nomura outlasts Kerr after six extra holes
Seven and a half hours after starting her final round Japan’s Haru Nomura edged out Cristie Kerr with a two-putt birdie at the sixth extra hole in the Volunteers of America Texas Shootout.
The 39-year-old American was bidding to win consecutive events five months after knee surgery but she was undone by a brilliant approach to the par 5 while Kerr missed from around 12 feet – Nomura also birdied the 18th in regulation play after just making a double at the previous hole. The first five visits to the 18th all resulted in pars.
On a windy final day Nomura was round in 76, Kerr in 74. The average score was over 76 with only two players breaking par.
In her first tournament since the ANA Lexi Thompson tied for 17th while So Yeon Ryu could have taken over top spot in the world had she finished first or second but she could only take ninth, the same mark as Charley Hull.
So Lydia Ko will stay on top for the 80th straight week despite having to withdraw before round three because of a swollen eye caused by allergies.
Haru Nomura pulls out the W after duking it out with Cristie Kerr for 6 playoff holes! Watch highlights from her round: pic.twitter.com/hqbRWFuhkD
— LPGA (@LPGA) May 1, 2017
