RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Pernilla Lindberg made a 30-foot birdie putt on the eighth extra hole to win the ANA Inspiration on Monday for her first professional victory.
Lindberg finished off Inbee Park on the par-4 10th, the fourth playoff hole Monday at Mission Hills after they played until it was too dark to see – and then played some more – Sunday night in the first LPGA major of the season.
“I just know I’m a grinder, and I just felt: ‘This is mine. I’m going to do this,”‘ Lindberg said. “I just knew I could, and I just kept fighting away. I couldn’t believe when that last putt went in.”
Park had a chance to force another hole, but her 20-footer stopped on the edge of the cup.
“The first thing I said when I holed that last putt was, ‘I know Inbee’s going to hole hers, too.’ So, I started thinking about the 17th hole again, but she didn’t. It was mine.”
The 31-year-old Swede won the major championship in her 250th start on the LPGA, Ladies European and Symetra tours, then made the traditional victory leap into Poppie’s Pond with her parents and fiance-caddie Daniel Taylor.
“It’s so cool,” Lindberg said. “The only reason I’m playing golf is because of them. I’m so happy they’re here. I’ve probably given my dad I don’t know how many heart attacks over the last few days, but I’m just so happy they’re here and get to see this and we get to celebrate it together.”
On Sunday, Jennifer Song dropped out of the playoff with a par on the third extra hole, and Park and Lindberg took one more trip down the par-5 18th in fading light. With portable lights and the scoreboard helping illuminate the green, Park holed a 6-footer for par and Lindberg made a short putt to match her.
Play resumed Monday on No. 10, with Lindbergh leaving a birdie putt an inch short. They made up-and-down pars on the par-3 17th, with Park holing a tricky 8-foot downhill putt and Lindberg staying alive from a foot closer.
Lindberg then reached the 18th in two but was only able to get her eagle putt within 7 feet. Park laid up and hit a wedge to 8 feet. They both missed.
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