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Chella Choi wins play-off to claim LPGA Marathon Classic title

Chella Choi, Korean golfer
Image: Chella Choi earned her first LPGA victory in a tense play-off

Chella Choi secured her first LPGA title with victory over fellow South Korean Jang Ha-Na in a play-off for the Marathon Classic.

Choi, 24, parred the first extra hole, the par-five 18th, where overnight leader Jang ran up a bogey six, to land a breakthrough win in her seventh full-time season on the US circuit.

The pair had finished the 72 regulation holes on 14 under, Choi closing with a flawless five under 66 at Highland Meadows Golf Club while LPGA rookie Jang, her playing partner in the final round, carded a 68.

Her victory was all the more impressive considering she opened the event on Thursday with a one over 73 - Choi went on to shoot 16 under for her final 54 holes.

Defending champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand briefly led by two shots on the front nine before losing momentum after the turn on the way to a 67 and a tie for third at 13 under with China's Shanshan Feng (67).

American Brittany Lang signed off with a bogey-free 68 to share fifth place at 11 under with Koreans Kim Hyo-joo (67) and Q Baek (70).

World No 1 Inbee Park finished one stroke further back after a day that mirrored Ko's.

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She moved within two strokes of the lead with birdies at the seventh and eighth, but didn't find another birdie in a round capped by a bogey at 18.

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