Sei Young Kim wins Lotte Championship with an eagle in playoff

Sei Young Kim holed out from 154 yards for eagle to win the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship on the first hole of a playoff Saturday with Inbee Park.

After driving into the water in regulation on the par-four 18th, Kim forced the playoff with an 18-foot chip-in for par. She then won on the hole with her eight-iron shot that barely cleared the water.

The 22-year-old South Korean player became the first two-time winner on the LPGA Tour this year. She won in the Bahamas in February in her second start as a tour member.

Kim rebounded from a disappointing final round two weeks ago in the ANA Inspiration when she squandered the lead and ended up tying for fourth.

She closed with a one-over 73 in wind gusting to 30 mph at Ko Olina to match Park at 11-under 277. Park finished with a 71.

I.K. Kim bogeyed the final two holes for a 74 that left her two strokes back.

Hyo Joo Kim (69) and Chella Choi (72) tied for fourth at seven under as South Korean players swept the first five places. German Sandra Gal (69) finished sixth at six under.