Associated Press
Sunday, October 1

NEW ALBANY, Ohio -- Lorie Kane is making up for missed chances on the LPGA Tour.

After nine career second-place finishes, Kane got her second win in less than two months, beating Mi Hyun Kim in a playoff Sunday at the New Albany Golf Classic.

Kane sank an 8-foot putt for a birdie on the first hole of sudden death to earn $150,000.

Kane had been portrayed as a choker before finally earning her first win Aug. 6 at the Michelob Light Classic. That boosted her confidence and left her with just one question: When would she get her second?

"The first one in St. Louis was fantastic and I was asked 'When was I going to win my first, one' and I was asking myself 'When would I win my second one,' " she said. "And here it happened today in a playoff, and I'm excited."

Both players shot 4-under 68s to finish at 11-under 277. Kim forced the playoff with a birdie on No. 18, but it was Kane who entered the playoff with confidence even though she had parred the hole.

Kane had pushed her approach shot from 163 yards in regulation and found herself at nearly the same spot in the playoff. She put her 6-iron within 8 feet and sank the putt.

"I think what gave me the confidence was I had the same shot and knew what I wanted to do the first time," she said. "And the swing was not 100 percent, and I hit it on the toe. And I said, 'If I just hit it a little bit better ...' "

Kane started the day five shots behind Shani Waugh. But Waugh faltered down the stretch, dropping three shots over the last three holes, including a bogey on the 18th, to close with a 74 that left her one shot out of the playoff and tied for third with Kelli Kuehne (69) and Brandie Burton (71).

Kim is fully recovered from knee problems and was bidding for her second straight victory. She won in a playoff last week at the Safeway Championship in Portland, Ore., and has finished in the top five in five straight tournaments.

"About three years ago I hurt my knee. I slipped in some mud and I had a knee problem," she said. "And because of the knee problem, I also had pain in my ankle.

"So last year, I played many tournaments, more and more tournaments than prior, so it bothered the knee. But I played and I got stronger, and especially this year, I did physical exercise a lot."

Defending champion Annika Sorenstam was one shot back at 11-under at the start of the day, but struggled to a 74 and finished sixth.