ROGERS, Ark. — Thailand’s Atthaya Titikul won the second playoff hole over Danielle Kang and won the Walmart New Arkansas Championship on Sunday.
The victory made the 19-year-old the first LPGA Tour player in five years to win twice in her rookie season. Sung Yoon Park released many hits in 2017.
Titikul and Kang, 29, completed the 54-hole event at Pinnacle Country Club at 17 under.
Kang, a six-time winner on the LPGA Tour, is making her third tour start since June after undergoing treatment for a tumor on her spine.
Kang briefly took the lead, chipping in near the green for eagle on the final hole. Teetukul, playing in the group behind her, shot a final-round 68 to take a birdie lead on No. 17.
The two matched pars on the first extra hole on No. 15, and Titikul made a birdie putt on No. 16 to win.
“It’s emotional,” said Kang, who shot a final-round 64 and produced her best performance of the tournament. “I’m proud to be here. So I wanted to win, but these are like tears of joy.”
Titukul won the JTBC Classic presented by Barbasol earlier in the season.
The $345,000 first place check pushed her earnings to $1,881,392 for the season. She made 19 cuts in 20 events, including a solo fourth at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and added nine more 10s.
Titikul is the fourth player to record multiple wins this season, joining Jennifer Kupcho (3), Minjae Lee (2) and Brooke Henderson (2).
Titikul entered the tournament with a second-round 61, the lowest 18-hole LPGA score on Saturday.
Chela Cho of South Korea finished third, a shot behind the leaders. Thailand’s Pornanong Fathim was fourth alone at 14 years old, ahead of seven players.
