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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Recari outlasts Kim on second hole of playoff

Associated Press

Beatrtiz Recari sank an 18-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the second hole of a playoff with I.K. Kim to win the Kia Classic in Carlsbad, Calif., on Sunday.

After Recari and Kim three-putted No. 18 both in regulation and on the first playoff hole, Recari ended it for her first victory since her rookie season of 2010. The 25-year-old Spaniard raised both arms in the air and later wiped away tears.

Recari, who brought a two-stroke lead into the day, had a chance to win in regulation. But, like Kim in the twosome ahead of her, she three-putted the par-4 18th. Recari closed with a 2-over 74 to match Kim at 9 under at Aviara. Kim shot a 71.

They teed off on 18 again and both players three-putted. With dusk falling, they played the hole again.

Kim had a 30-foot putt on the second playoff hole and rolled it left.

Recari went 59 holes before carding her first bogey in the tournament.

Kim bogeyed four of her last eight holes in regulation.

Champions Tour

Michael Allen rallied to win the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic in Saucier, Miss., for his fourth Champions Tour title, shooting a 5-under 67 to leapfrog a crowded leaderboard.

Allen started the day two shots behind the leaders, but made five birdies on the front nine to vault into the lead. The 54-year-old navigated windy conditions at Fallen Oak to finish a stroke ahead of Bernhard Langer, who was one of four players who shared the second-round lead.

Allen missed a short putt for par on 18 and settled for a bogey, briefly falling into a tie with Langer at 11 under. But Langer made a bogey minutes later on 16, and couldn’t make up the stroke.