Play-off joy for Lincicome

Brittany Lincicome claimed a play-off victory in the ANA Inspiration and celebrated after four tough days at the Dinah Shore Course with her second dip in Poppie’s Pond at Mission Hills Country Club on Sunday.

Lincicome tied fellow American Stacy Lewis with an eagle at the 18^th in regulation play.

Lewis, the champion in 2011, closed with a 70 to set the target at nine-under-par 279, but Lincicome boxed a 10-footer for eagle to tie her former Solheim Cup partner with a final round 69.

The 2009 champion captured the victory with a two-putt par on the third extra hole.

Meanwhile South Africa’s Paula Reto closed with a three under 69 to celebrate her best Major performance with a tie for 26^th on two-under-par 286.

Reto, whose payday was worth $22,429, notched a pair of birdies on each nine and dropped her only shot of the day at the par-four 18^th.

Compatriot Lee-Anne Pace returned a final round 73 to tie for 69^th on seven over 295.

FINAL RESULT (Top 10 and RSA)
279 *Brittany Lincicome USA 72-68-70-69 (*play-off victory at third extra hole)
279 Stacy Lewis USA 72-69-68-70
280 Morgan Pressel USA 67-72-71-70
281 Carlota Ciganda ESP 74-71-68-68; Anna Nordqvist SWE 71-72-69-69; Sei Young Kim KOR 72-65-69-75
282 Lexi Thompson USA 72-69-71-70
283 Suzann Pettersen NOR 76-68-72-67; Mi Hyang Lee KOR 74-68-70-71; Shanshan Feng CHI 71-70-70-72
286 Paula Reto RSA 74-73-70-69
295 Lee-Anne Pace RSA 77-69-76-73

PHOTO – ANA Inspiration champion Brittany Lincicome; credit LPGA Tour/Getty Images