Kim Enjoys Win In Mexico

After two playoff holes, Christina Kim sank her putt for par and became the seventh different player to hold the trophy at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational after beating Shanshan Feng in Mexico.

This is Kim’s first win since The Mitchell Company Tournament of Champions, nine years and three days between wins.

“I can’t put into words how I’m feeling right now. Kim said. “I’m still riding so many emotions. It feels surreal. I can’t explain. I’m so overwhelmed right now. I’m so proud and honored to be a champion for such an incredible tournament.”

Christina Kim entered the final round with a 5-stroke lead over Shanshan Feng but after a birdie chip in on 15, Feng finally caught Kim. With a bogey on the second playoff hole, Feng fell just short and missed an opportunity to tie Karrie Webb for the second largest come-from-behind victory of the season.

“I thought other than Christina, the rest of us were competing for second place because I never thought I could catch up.” Feng said. “So I said that my goal was that I want to get to 15 under. It doesn’t matter if I win or not if I get to 15 under, I’d be really happy, which I did. So I had a really solid run.”

After her win, Kim jumped for joy and let loose emotions that have built up for nine frustrating years between tournaments. An emotional Kim was overjoyed after the win and so thankful for the players who were there to congratulate her, especially Shanshan.

“I can’t speak on behalf of other players, but I just know how much I love this tour and how much this game means to me. And how I’d love to leave it a better place than I found it. But Shanshan, she’s an amazing young woman. She was the first major winner from mainland China, and she has very much like Lorena did when she was on the LPGA tour, an entire country riding on her shoulders. To hear the wonderful things that were said - it fills my heart with joy.”