Sarah Jane Smith's bid for US Women's Open glory ended in disappointment as former World No.1 Ariya Jutanugarn claimed victory in a playoff against Hyo Joo Kim.
Smith held a three-shot lead after two rounds and was second only to young Thai star Jutanugarn entering the last round but shot six-over-par 78 to finish tied fifth.
South Korean Kim shot a closing 68 to catch overnight leader Jutanugarn, who squandered a seven-shot lead on the back nine for a 73 at Shoal Creek in Alabama.
But Jutanugarn regrouped to claim her second major championship title with a par at the 4th hole of their playoff after Kim missed her par putt.
Without a win in 222 starts on the LPGA Tour since her 2006 debut, 33-year-old Smith still had a decent chance when she started the final round four shots behind Jutanugarn, playing beside her in the final group.
But she mixed six bogeys and a double bogey with her two birdies to slip to 11 shots behind the winner.
Jutanugarn, the 2016 Women's British Open champion, led by seven shots after the front nine but a triple bogey on No.10 cut the lead to four and seemed to shake her confidence.

She still had a two-shot lead with two holes remaining, but closed with back-to-back bogeys to fall into the playoff.
"That back (nine) got me a lot," said Jutanugarn, who is set to rise to No.2 in the world.
"After you have seven-shot lead and end up in playoff, I had no expectation because I kind of got mad a little bit with my back nine.
"I (told myself) I'm going to make sure I do my best very best, because I feel like I didn't commit the back nine. I have the last chance to make myself proud."
Jutanugarn and Kim finished regulation at 11-under 277, four shots clear of third-placed Spaniard Carlota Ciganda (69) while American Danielle Kang (69) was a shot further back fourth.
Smith tied with American star Lexi Thompson (70), Taiwan's Wei-Ling Su (72) and Thai amateur Patty Tavatanakit (71).
Su Oh (73) was the next-best Australian in a tie for 17th while Minjee Lee (71) tied 34th.
Related Articles

Aussie rookie Porter and Dryburgh lead Dow Championship

Minjee in contention at Women's PGA Championship
