Jasmine Suwannapura captures third LPGA title

In a gripping finish at the Pinnacle Country Club, Jasmine Suwannapura captured her third LPGA Tour title in a dramatic playoff at the 2024 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, presented by P&G. Suwannapura sank a 15-foot eagle putt on the second extra hole to clinch victory over American Lucy Li, after both players finished tied at 17-under following 54 holes of intense competition.

Li, starting the final round in a tie for 25th, delivered a record-breaking performance. She carded a stunning 61, featuring three eagles and six birdies. Despite early struggles with a pair of three-putt bogeys, Li stormed back with a birdie on the opening hole, followed by an eagle on the 8th that saw her vault into the lead at 12-under.

Finishing strong with eagles on holes 14 and 18, she set a new 18-hole scoring record for the tournament.

“I started with a birdie, and then I just found my rhythm,” Li said after the tournament. “The eagle on 8 was unreal, and hearing the crowd roar was special. I couldn't believe it was happening again.”

Meanwhile, Suwannapura, who teed off in the group behind, had her sights set on victory. Opening with two birdies, she remained consistent throughout, picking up critical birdies on the back nine. When Li eagled the 18th to finish at 17-under, Suwannapura responded in style, matching the eagle to force a playoff.

“The crowd was loud, and I knew Lucy had made her eagle. I just told myself to stay focused and do my job,” Suwannapura said.

The playoff saw both players find the fairway and hit the green in two on the first extra hole, but both missed their eagle chances and tapped in for birdie, sending them back to the 18th tee. On the second playoff hole, Li pulled her drive left into the rough, while Suwannapura found the centre of the fairway once again. Li’s approach ended on the fringe, leaving her with a lengthy putt, while Suwannapura’s second shot landed 15 feet from the pin. After Li’s par attempt fell short, Suwannapura drained her eagle putt to secure the win.

“This week, my mindset was solid, and I knew I had to finish strong,” the Thai said. “I told myself, ‘Just make it here, or you might not get another chance’.”

Though Li fell just short, the 21-year-old was upbeat about her performance. “It’s always better to lose when your opponent wins like that,” she said. “Jasmine played amazing, and I'm excited about the final stretch of the season.”

Sei Young Kim finished in solo third, one shot behind the playoff duo, after an eagle on the 18th. Mao Saigo and Arpichaya "Piano" Yubol rounded out the top five, while Ashleigh Buhai, the round-two leader, finished in sixth.

With the conclusion of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, the LPGA Tour now shifts to Asia for the Buick LPGA Shanghai, beginning on October 10.