Grace Kim has claimed a maiden LPGA Tour triumph in Hawaii after a sudden-death playoff. -AP
Ice-cool Australian rookie Grace Kim has closed with three straight birdies to claim a dramatic maiden LPGA tour victory in a sudden-death playoff at the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The 22-year-old Kim birdied the final two holes of regulation to sign for a four-under 68, moving her to 12-under 288 and into a playoff with China's Yu Liu and South Korean Yu Jin Sung, both of whom were also chasing their first LPGA win.
Kim hit a 3-wood off the deck to the fringe of the par-5 18th green on the first playoff hole and then got up and up and down for birdie.
The victory came in only Kim's third start on the LPGA Tour since earning her full card last year.
It will be a huge confidence boost for the Australian ahead of next week's first major of the year, the Chevron Championship in Texas.
Karis Davidson was the next best-placed Australian at Ewa Beach on Saturday (Sunday AEST), finishing strongly with a 69 to move up to a tie for 19th at three-under 285.
Sarah Kemp (72) and Steph Kyriacou (73) were tied for 38th at 288 and Su Oh was three shots further back.
Fellow Australian Minjee Lee (2016) is among the former winners of the LOTTE Championship.
