Minjee Lee came within a shot of forcing a playoff, while Stephanie Kyriacou’s sizzling 64 capped a week in which Australia’s brightest talents made a serious mark on major territory.
Early in the final round, Minjee Lee looked the most likely Australian winner.
Seeking to join Karrie Webb as the only Australians to win consecutive major championships, Lee opened with six straight pars and then made birdies at seven and nine to turn in 2-under and one off the lead.
There were birdie looks on 10, 11 and 12, but a three-putt bogey on the par-5 15th would cruel her chances - a final eagle on 18 leaving the three-time major winner one shot short of the playoff.
Co-leader overnight Gabriela Ruffels made bogey at the opening hole and was unable to turn momentum her way, dropping into a tie for ninth with a round of 1-over 72.
Runner-up 12 months ago, Stephanie Kyriacou closed with a 7-under 64 to jump into a share of 14th, making it four Aussies inside the top 15.
FINAL AUSTRALIAN SCORES
1 Grace Kim: 65-68-70-67 — 270
(Won on the second hole of sudden-death playoff)
T3 Minjee Lee: 66-71-66-68 — 271
T9 Gabriela Ruffels: 65-71-66-72 — 274
T14 Stephanie Kyriacou: 70-68-74-64 — 276
T65 Hira Naveed: 71-71-73-72 — 287
MC Robyn Choi: 71-74 — 145
MC Karis Davidson: 74-72 — 146
MC Lydia Ko (NZ): 73-74 — 147
MC Hannah Green: 73-77 — 150
MC Cassie Porter: 73-79 — 152
