ESPN Golf Online news services
Sunday, November 5

OTSU-SHIGA, Japan -- Lorie Kane became the fourth player on the LPGA Tour to win three titles this season, defeating Sophie Gustafson on the first playoff hole at the Mizuno Classic.

Kane sank a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for her third career title -- all this season. She claimed her first at the Michelob Light Classic in June before winning the New Albany Golf Classic in early October.

"I don't know how to explain what I'm feeling right now," said Kane, 35, who also claimed her second title in a playoff. "I'm really excited. I can't wait to talk to my mom and dad and tell them.

"It's just been a great year. I started off the season just trying to win one golf tournament, and I've won three now. It's a pretty awesome feeling."

Kane, who began the day three shots off the lead, joined Karrie Webb, Annika Sorenstam and Juli Inkster as the only LPGA players with three titles this year.

She also claimed the first-place prize $127,500 to jump from seventh to fifth on the money list with $886,189 trailing only Webb, Sorenstam, Meg Mallon and Inkster.

Gustafson came close to joining the elite group, holding a share of the lead after each of the first two rounds. But Kane shot a 6-under 66 to reach 12-under 204 and force the playoff.

"She played great golf today," said Gustafson, who won the Chick-fil-A Championship in April and the Women's British Open in August. "Six-under-par is a tremendous score. At least I made her fight for it. I didn't give it away."

Kane actually caught and passed Gustafson with her 66 on Seta Golf Course, taking a lead into the clubhouse after birdies at Nos. 16 and 17. But Gustafson rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-5 18th to force the playoff.

"That was a really good putt," Gustafson said. "It's just that on my back nine, I kept leaving myself difficult putts, so I really wasn't able to go for them."

Gustafson missed a key putt at the par-3 16th. A bogey there dropped her to 11-under and forced her to make the clutch putt at the 18th.

"I just missed the 4-footer for par," said Gustafson, who shot 66-69-69. "That would have made the difference."

Kane, who knocked two strokes off her score each day, played bogey-free Sunday, knocking in six birdies in regulation. She rolled in putts of 15, 25 and 18 feet on Nos. 11, 13 and 16 to gain ground on the leader.

"The only thing I said to my caddie, 'I'll let you worry about the leaderboard and I'll worry about making birdies. But if there's something I need to do, you need to tell me,'" Kane said.

"After nine, I was 8-under and I needed to make birdies. I had to get to 10- or 11-under to put pressure on anyone."

Kane moved to 12-under after her sand wedge at the 483-yard par-5 17th left her with a 2-foot birdie putt.

She won the playoff on the first hole of sudden-death -- the 540-yard par-5 18th, where Gustafson found a greenside bunker with her second shot and failed to get up and down for birdie. Kane dropped a wedge within five feet of the cup and rolled in the winning putt.

"I wasn't going to let anything bother me, and I said that before every shot," she said. "I think that relieved the tension. Standing over that putt, I had the same feeling as I did in Columbus to win in a playoff -- you know the line, 'If you make it, great, if you don't, let's go to the next hole.' "

There was no next hole for Kane, whose career year was highlighted by a shower of Michelob beer after her first title. She was doused by tour members who recognized the conclusion of her five-year title drought.

"I'm just so excited," she said. "I don't know what to say. I've worked so hard to win, and I know I'm capable of it. Each week, I can do what it takes."

Japan LPGA Tour member Yuri Fudoh finished third at 10-under 206. A six-time tournament winner this year, Fudoh was one of five Japanese players to finish in the top 10.