Beatriz Recari wins Kia Classic in playoff

Beatriz Recari wins Kia Classic in playoff










Forrest Lee, The Sports Xchange March 24, 2013 10:41 PMThe SportsXchange



CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Spain's Beatriz Recari sank an 18-foot putt on the second hole of a playoff to defeat I.K. Kim of South Korea and capture the $1.7 million Kia Classic at Aviara Golf Club on Sunday.

"I can't think right now," Recari said, breaking down in tears after the victory. "I'm just thinking about my family, my coach, everybody that has really been with me for so long."

It was the second LPGA Tour win for Recari, who earned $255,000 for her effort. Recari won the CVS Pharmacy Challenge as a rookie in 2010.

Twice this season she came close to winning, but couldn't seal the deal. She finished tied for third at the Honda Thailand event and tied for fourth at the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open in February.

Kim, who has three LPGA Tour titles, won $156,616 for her runner-up finish.

Both players, who were tied at 279 in regulation, had chances to clinch the title on the final hole in regulation, but neither managed to come through. Kim missed a 30-foot putt for birdie on 18, coming up about six feet short. Her shot for par sailed right for bogey and dropped her one shot back of Recari.

But Recari failed to take advantage of the opportunity. She also 3-putted on 18, coming up empty on a putt from 25 feet that sailed four feet past the cup. Her attempt for par lipped out right, and she bogeyed the hole and to force a playoff.

On the first playoff hole, both players bogeyed.

Recari, who didn't bogey a hole for the first three rounds, carded three on Sunday. Kim had four, including three in a row on holes 11, 12 and 13.

Several players were in contention throughout the final round. Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum made a strong run for the title. Phatlum, who started the day seven shots off the lead, was tied for first before bogeying the 18th. She finished at 280 and tied for third with Mo Martin and Cristie Kerr.

Hall of Famer Karrie Webb, who was two shots back to start the day, shot a 74 and tied for sixth at 281 with Jane Park and Lizette Salas.

Stacy Lewis' bid for a third consecutive tournament title was dashed on the back nine with a double bogey on 11 and a bogey on 14. On 18, she hit a tee shot in the water and double bogeyed the hole.