LPGA star Jeeno Thitikul bounces back from four-putt disaster to win in Shanghai

Jeeno Thitikul landed her first title since May as she edged out Minami Katsu in a dramatic playoff to win the Buick LPGA Shanghai at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club.

Thitikul became the first player to win multiple titles on the LPGA circuit this season having been runner-up in three of her previous five starts.

Her most recent near-miss was at the Queen City Championship last month, when she was poised to pip Charley Hull to the title only to suffer a meltdown on the final green.

Thitikul led by one with both herself and Hull lining up eagle putts at the last, but the world No 1 inexplicably four-putted to hand a one-shot win to the English star.

But the Thai ace hit back in impressive style in Shanghai this week in an event that gained notoriety due to the rough condition of many of the greens caused by extreme heat and a lack of rain in recent weeks.

Thitikul trailed Katsu by four shots with just five holes to play, but she then made three consecutive birdies and eagled the 17th before a par at the last capped a 63 for a total score of 24-under par.

Katsu's commendable seven-birdie 65 ensured the title would be decided in a playoff, and the top two remained deadlocked after four extra holes despite Thitikul finding water from the tee at the 2nd before salvaging par.

But Thitikul then knocked her approach to three feet on the 5th playoff hole and, after Katsu was unable chip-in for birdie having come up short, Thitikul rolled in the winning putt.

"What happened in the last event was definitely still in my mind, but to be able to prove myself again this tournament is like a dream come true," she said afterwards.

"You know, I'm not carrying a thing on my shoulder. I've had so many drama in my golf career for sure. I play against Minami and she did a really great job out there. She crushed it out there Tuesday until Sunday."

Minjee Lee earned a podium finish, although the Aussie was a distant third on 19-under after a 68.