Yani Tseng didn?t even want to watch Maria Hjorth?s putt that could have ended the McDonald?s LPGA Championship, but her caddy made her.
Hjorth had three different birdie putts that would have given her the win, including two of them in a playoff against Tseng.
Each time the putt slid by the hole, and Tseng stayed alive.
Then the tour rookie missed one of her own that could have locked up the LPGA?s second major championship of the year.
On the fourth playoff hole, Tseng had another opportunity, this time from five feet, to close out the tournament at Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace.
“I just told myself ?Make this putt, and win a major championship,” Tseng said.
The 19-year old from Taiwan calmly rolled in the putt after another Hjorth birdie miss to capture her first LPGA title. Tseng became the second-youngest player to win a major in her third major appearance.
She became the first rookie since Se Ri Pak, who won the McDonald?s in 1996, to win a major championship.
When the day started, no one expected the championship would come down to a playoff between Tseng and Hjorth, a 11-year veteran who has won just once since 1999.
It seemed more likely their highly ranked playing partners in the final two groups, Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam, would duel for the title.
But on a scorching day when low scores were tough to earn, Tseng and Hjorth each posted a 12-under 276, a shot better than Sorenstam and Ochoa, who each carded a 71 on the final round to finish tied for third.
“I?m disappointed about my finish because I felt like I playedso well,” Sorenstam said. “It?s just tough when you give it all, and you just don?t feel like you are getting anything out of it.”
The leaders jockeyed for position throughout the afternoon. As the final two groups turned to the back nine, it came down to six golfers ? all within two shots of the lead and playing well.
But third-round leader Jee Young Lee fell apart, Ochoa made a couple of bogeys and Sorenstam and veteran Laura Diaz failed to make a move.
Hjorth, who benefited from a bit of luck when her ball bounced out of a creek on 15 to make birdie, missed a four-foot par putt at 17 to fall into a tie with Tseng, who shot 68 on the day.
Tseng and Hjorth both missed birdie tries on 18 in regulation, and Sorenstam, in her final McDonald?s LPGA Championship, just missed out on the playoff, missing her birdie putt in the final group.
They both parred the first three playoff holes before Tseng knocked a six-iron to five feet of the cup to defeat Hjorth.
“I had great birdie chances on every hole,” Hjorth said, “and unfortunately, it didn?t go my way.”
Tseng watched each time as her hopes stayed alive and eventually took advantage.
“This is my dream,” Tseng said. “And it?s come so fast.”
