Thitikul beats Katsu in five-hole playoff to win Buick LPGA Shanghai

Jeeno Thitikul rallied from four shots behind with five holes to play to force a playoff and then outlasted Minami Katsu in a five-hole extra session to win the Buick LPGA Shanghai on Sunday at Qizhong Garden Golf Club in Shanghai. The world number one fired a closing 63 to match Katsu at 24 under 264 over 72 holes and secured the title with a decisive birdie on the fifth playoff hole. The tournament ran from October 9 to 12 and carried a $2.2 million purse.

Thitikul’s final-round charge featured seven birdies and an eagle as she closed the gap from a two-shot deficit entering the day. She birdied three consecutive holes from 14 to 16 and eagled the par-five 17th to draw level with Katsu, who had moved into a comfortable lead earlier in the round after setting a course-record 61 in the second round. The pair played four extra holes exchanging pars before Thitikul’s precise approach on the fifth playoff hole left her a short birdie putt while Katsu’s shot came up short of the green and her ensuing chip did not fall.

The win is Thitikul’s second LPGA victory this season and her sixth career LPGA title. She earned $330,000 of the $2.2 million purse; Katsu received $202,195 for...