Kane gains second title in playoff

Lorie Kane of Canada birdied the first playoff hole to beat Sweden's Sophie Gustafson at the Mizuno Open today for her third title of the LPGA season.

Kane started the final round three shots behind co-leader Gustafson but forced a playoff with a 6-under-par 66 for a 12-under 204.

Gustafson had a final-round 69 and needed a final-hole birdie to reach the playoff.

"I don't know how to explain what I'm feeling right now,'' said a jubilant Kane, who earned $127,500 and moved from seventh to fifth on the LPGA money list. "I can't wait to talk to my mom and dad and tell them.

"It's just been a great year. I started off the season just trying to win one golf tournament, and now I've won three. It's a pretty awesome feeling."

Kane earned her first win in the Michelob Light Classic in August after finishing second nine times in a five-year career.

Kane made up ground with birdies on the second and sixth holes but was four shots behind Gustafson, who was 12-under through nine.

"After nine holes, I was 8-under and I knew I needed to make birdies. I had to get to 10 or 11 to put pressure on anyone,'' Kane said. "So I basically let Danny (Sharp, her caddie) worry about the leaderboard and I worried about hitting the shots."

After the turn, Kane made putts of 15 feet or longer for birdies on the 11th, 13th and 16th, then sank a two-footer for birdie to get to 12-under.

Just then, Gustafson, one group behind, missed a three-foot par putt on the 16th to fall to 11-under.

After a par on the 18th, Kane watched as Gustafson missed a birdie putt on the 17 but drained a 15-footer for birdie on 18.

The two returned to the 540-yard, par-5 18th for sudden death, where Gustafson's second shot found a greenside bunker. Kane, from the fairway, hit a wedge within 5 feet and won the tournament after Gustafson sent a birdie putt from 20 feet past the hole.

Kane raised her arms in victory as her final putt went in the cup.

"Lorie played great golf today,'' Gustafson. "Six-under-par is a tremendous score. At least I made her fight for it. I didn't give it away.''

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