PETALING JAYA: Frenchwoman Celine Boutier prevailed in a epic nine-hole play-off battle at the Maybank Championship here to claim her fourth win in a golden LPGA season.
Boutier denied Thai prodigy Atthaya Thitikul in a dramatic and near-record-setting sudden-death play-off to emerge as the inaugural winner of the US$3mil (RM14.34mil) tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club on Sunday (Oct 29).
It took a birdie from Boutier on Sunday's ninth extra hole to see off Thitikul, who climbed to world No.1 ranking status last year as a teenager, and claim the winner's cheque of US$450,000 (RM2.15mil).
The 29-year-old looked poised for victory hours earlier after seizing the clubhouse lead with a brilliant eight-under 64 earlier in the day.
But Thitikul birdied the last hole for a four-under 68 to force the playoff, with both players finishing with respective 21-under total of 267.
Play-off was stopped midway through the second hole because of lightning in the area.
When it resumed, the pair couldn't be separated until Boutier rolled in her 11th birdie of the day on the par-three 15th.
Boutier has already won at the LPGA Drive on Championship, the Women's Scottish Open and also her maiden major at the Evian Championship in her homeland.
American rookie sensation Rose Zhang tied for third at 19-under 269 after a one-under 71 with Thailand's halfway leader Jasmine Suwannupara of Thailand (70).
Natasha Andrea Oon emerged as the best Malaysian finisher in 52nd spot after a one-under 71 for a four-day total of three-under 285.
