(Reuters) - Birdie opportunities littered the four-hole playoff to decide the aptly named Marathon Classic in Sylvania, Ohio, on Sunday before world number one Lydia Ko finally cashed one in to beat Ariya Jutanugarn and Lee Mi-rim at Highlands Meadows.
Ko, one of the game's best putters, poured in a seven-footer nearly identical to one she missed on the third extra trip to the par-five 18th, to win her fourth title of the year and 14th of the precocious 19-year-old's career.
All three players had mouthwatering chances to claim victory but grazed edges, misread lines or mis-hit their potential playoff-ending putts.