Reuters
Sunday, April 29

AUSTIN, Texas -- Rosie Jones carried a miniature Statue of Liberty in her golf bag and proudly waved the U.S. flag after claiming her 11th LPGA title with a playoff win over Kim Mi-hyun in the Kathy Ireland Championship on Sunday.

	Rosie Jones birdied the 18th hole in regulation and again in sudden death for the win.

Jones' show of patriotism reflected her delight at ending the American drought on the tour this season. In the 11th event, she was the first U.S. winner.

It took a brave finish to end the run. With Kim having shot 66 to post a 12-under 268 target, Jones matched her total by knocking a sand wedge inside a foot at the long 18th for a birdie and a 67 at Onion Creek.

The same hole was the first of sudden death and, after Kim had missed from 10 feet, Jones again made birdie from about half that distance to clinch the $135,000 first prize and her first win since 1999.

"I could feel that everyone was rooting for me," said Jones, 41. "The American players have taken a lot of heat this season. But they've been playing well and the criticism hasn't really been fair.

"I did feel under extra pressure and I take a lot of pride in this performance. The monkey's off the back."

Marisa Baena finished third, a shot outside the playoff, following a 68. American Dottie Pepper fired a 67 to take fourth at 8-under.

Jones and Baena had started the day tied for the lead and stayed close all day. Kim burst into contention with a run of four birdies in five holes from the seventh, and added another at the short 17th.

Jones was alone in the lead when she birdied the 12th, but she three-putted the 13th and Kim's birdie at the 17th set up a thrilling finish.

For Kim, a three-time winner at the age of 23, it was her second playoff defeat in three tournaments. Two weeks ago she lost to Annika Sorenstam in a playoff at the Office Depot event in Los Angeles.