Record-setting Korda wins LPGA Thailand

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Jessica Korda kisses the trophy after winning the Honda LPGA Thailand title at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course, Sunday, Feb. 25. (Photo/Honda LPGA Thailand)
Jessica Korda kisses the trophy after winning the Honda LPGA Thailand title at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course, Sunday, Feb. 25. (Photo/Honda LPGA Thailand)

Pattaya (AP) — American Jessica Korda set a tournament record to win the LPGA Thailand at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course last Sunday.

Florida based Korda held off compatriot Lexi Thompson and local hope Moriya Jutanugarn for a four-stroke win after a final-round 67 for an overall total of 25 under 263, smashing the previous mark of 22 under set by Amy Yang of South Korea in 2017.

“It’s an incredible thing to be able to win again.  I haven’t won in two years.  And who knows?  It’s so hard out here.  These girls are so good.  I mean, look at the scoreboard.  I had to shoot 25 under just to win,” said Korda after claiming her fifth LPGA win.

It was Korda’s first trophy since winning in Malaysia in 2015.

Ranked No. 26, Korda had surgery on an overbite in December and was playing in her first tournament since November.

“I just came with no expectations after surgery.  It’s really hard for me to move.  All this stuff is just still really hard, but I’m really, really happy that I chose to come back in this event exactly where I started my rookie year in 2011. I don’t think I could have asked for a better win,” she said.

Thompson, who won here in 2016, turned in a bogey free round that included eight birdies to sign off with a 64 for a 21 under 267.

“I had to just fire at everything today and make a lot of birdies because Jessica has been playing amazing, along with a lot of other people.  So that’s what I did. I just went after it,” said No. 4-ranked Thompson.

Moriya, the 2013 Rookie of the Year, almost caught up with Korda after nine holes when she closed to within two shots, but her challenge faded and she failed to become the first Thai winner of the tournament.  Moriya finished with a final-round 67 for an overall 21 under 267.

“I wasn’t sad at all.  It was fun playing with Jessica.  It’s been a fun week.  I already tried my best.  Whatever happened this week is cool,” said Moriya, who has yet to win on the LPGA tour.

Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn. (Photo/Honda LPGA Thailand)
Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn.
(Photo/Honda LPGA Thailand)

Pornanong Phatum, the third highest ranked player from Thailand, carded an 8-under, 64 on Sunday to jump from T16 to a tie for seventh.  It was her personal best round at Siam Country Club by three shots.

“I feel so great, hitting the perfect shot every time, it was amazing,” said Phatlum.  “I’m pretty happy to see all the Thai players playing well.”

She recorded the 26th top 10 of her career and first this season.