Brittany Lincicome was emotional late Sunday in the Bahamas and she had good reason.
Lincicome survived a long afternoon in strong winds then sideways rain at the Pure Silk Bahamas Classic after going overtime with super-talent Lexi Thompson.
“I just want bust out and cry. It’s been so long since I’ve won,” Lincicome said after she birdied the first hole of her playoff with Thompson to earn her first LPGA victory since the 2015 ANA Inspiration.
“American golf, here we come, it’s gonna be our year,” said Lincicome, referring to an Amerian sweep of the first four places when the tournament ended.
Lincicome closed with a 68 after she birdied the par five 18th to tie Thompson at 26-under par then watched as Thompson failed to birdie the 485-yard hole to send it to extra holes. In the playoff, Lincicome’s second shot set up her victory. He was just 20 feet from the hole while Thompson approach left her 70 feet out. Thompson first putt finished 12 feet short while Lincicome lagged hers within a foot, tapped-in then watched Thompson miss her birdie attempt.
There were only two wins by U.S. players last year and Thompson had one of them but had to be content with the runnerup spot.
Overnight leader Stacy Lewis took herself out of contention with a triple-bogey seven at the par four 14th. Her 71 gave her solo third. Gerina Piller, still searching for her first win, finished alone in fourth at 24-under par.
The surprise of the event was the fifth place finish by rookie Nelly Korda, playing in her first event. She tied for low rounds of the day with a 67 and finished 21-under par.
