Lang claims 1st win with playoff birdie binge
American Brittany Lang earned her first LPGA Tour victory on Sunday, winning the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic in Ontario, Canada, by making birdie on the par-five 18th hole three consecutive times in a playoff.
Lang held off a wave of South Korean contenders in the playoff after shooting a four-under 67 in regulation to reach 16-under 268.
"I just tried to stay down in the putt and have nice tempo," Lang said. "I haven't been in this position much. I'm just trying to learn.
"I can't believe I finally won. I've had my chances and I still can't believe I did it."
She edged out South Koreans Seo Hee-kyung, Chella Choi and Inbee Park at the Grey Silo Golf Course.
Choi was knocked out on the first extra hole, third-round leader Park was eliminated on the second hole, setting the stage for a head-to-head battle between Lang and Seo. Lang rolled in a five-foot putt for the win. Four of the top six and six of the top 13 finishers Sunday were from South Korea.
The birdie made amends for a shorter putt that Lang missed on the 18th hole in regulation that would have clinched the tournament for her.
Choi closed with a 63 on Sunday, Park a 69 and Seo a 67 to get to 16-under.
Reigning US Women's Open champion Ryu So-yeon and American Stacy Lewis both fired seven-under 64s on Sunday to finish in a tie for fifth at 15-under. Lewis is a two-time winner this season.
Playing partners Lang, Seo and Park all settled for pars on 18 to set up the playoff.
FINAL-ROUND SCORES (x-won in a playoff)
268 - x-Brittany Lang 69-65-67-67, Chella Choi (KOR) 69-66-70-63, Inbee Park (KOR) 69-64-66-69, Hee Kyung Seo (KOR) 66-68-67-67
269 - Stacy Lewis 72-64-69-64, So Yeon Ryu (KOR) 70-65-70-64
270 - Feng Shan-shan (CHN) 66-68-70-66, Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 64-72-67-67
271 - M.J. Hur 69-68-68-66
272 - Sandra Changkija 63-72-69-68, Karin Sjodin (SWE) 67-68-69-68
274 - Karine Icher (FRA) 72-68-66-68, I.K. Kim (KOR) 70-69-70-65
275 - Jacqui Concolino 69-70-69-67, Paula Creamer 69-68-71-67, Jodi Ewart (ENG) 68-68-72-67, Lexi Thompson 66-69-70-70
276 - Sandra Gal (GER) 72-68-69-67, Jeong Jang (KOR) 70-68-69-69, Mindy Kim 68-73-71-64, Jennifer Song 71-67-68-70, Sun Young Yoo (KOR) 68-67-72-69
