(KPMG Women's LPGA) Brooke Henderson defeats Lydia Ko in playoff

Brooke Henderson, 18 years old and born 140 days later than Ko, became the new major queen, while Lydia Ko, a New Zealand female professional golfer born in Korea, failed to become the youngest three-time major winner.

In the KPMG Women's PGA Championships at the Sahalee Country Club course near Seattle on Monday, Henderson earned her victory after tying with Ko at six-under 278, and beating her in overtime.

Prior to becoming official member of LPGA Tour due to age limit, Hendersen won the Portland Open in August last year to grab her first major. She was the youngest woman to win a major at 18 years and nine months. For the major overall, she won the trophy as the second youngest after Ko, who had recorded the youngest win at the Evian Championships last year. Having ranked at fourth place, Hendersen has jumped to the second surpassing Park In-bee.

Having started joint fourth two strokes after Ko, Hendersen had a lucky day. Leaving 29 meters from 11th hole green fringe to the hole, she shot a putt that was led to an eagle, while in the 17th hole she put in a 10 meter birdie putting. At the 18th hole, she hit a tee shot that went to the forest to the right, but since there was space so she did a lay up to keep the par.

In overtime, Ko missed the 6 meter birdie putting, but Henderson threw a tee shot that went 20 yards further than Ko's, while she put her second shot 90 centimeters next to the hole for a birdie.

Just 162 centimeters high, Hendersen uses a 48-inch driver, the maximum length that the U.S. Golf Association allows. Her average driver length is 267 yards this season (10th ranking), compared with Ko at 247 yards (118th ranking). The course conditions were also favorable to Hendersen as the course was set up narrowly while the grass was also smooth. Her older sister Brittany, who was an ice hockey goal keeper when young, is her caddie.

김종석기자 kjs0123@donga.com