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Golf: Nordqvist wins Evian Championship after playoff – Metro US

Golf: Nordqvist wins Evian Championship after playoff

Golf: Nordqvist wins Evian Championship after playoff
Reuters

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (Reuters) – Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist surged from behind to win the Evian Championship after beating American Brittany Altomare in a playoff in the rain on Sunday.

It was the 30-year-old Nordqvist’s second major title after she claimed the LPGA Women’s Championship in 2009. Last year, the Swede lost out on the U.S. Women’s Open title after being given a controversial penalty in a playoff.

Nordqvist was five shots behind on Saturday but she carded two eagles for a five-under-par 66, ending Sunday nine under with Altomare.

“My grandpa was always my biggest role model. He always used to tell me to never give up, and that’s what I never did today,” said Nordqvist, who suffered from glandular fever earlier this year.

“I love competing and I prove practicing, and staying in bed hasn’t been the most exciting.”

Overnight leader Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand had a difficult day and missed her spot in the final playoff when she bogeyed the last hole to end up tied for third with past champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand and Australian Katherine Kirk.

In driving rain, Nordqvist and Altomare returned to a soaked hole 18 for the playoff, which the Swede closed out with a bogey.

“I just felt like I wanted to go out there today and focus on what I could do. Winning didn’t really cross my mind until I was having a great couple birdies and eagles there down the stretch,” she said

Nordqvist lost a playoff for the 2016 U.S. Open title to American Brittany Lang after being penalised two strokes for grounding a club in a bunker.

The Evian Championship was reduced to 54 holes after wind and rain washed out play on the first day on Thursday.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Clare Fallon/Gene Cherry)