World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa rallied from a three-shot deficit with two holes to play to win her third title of the year on Sunday in a sudden-death playoff at the Wegmans LPGA.
South Korean rookie Kim In-kyung started the day one stroke behind Ochoa, but finished in a tie at eight-under 280 after shooting 72 to the Mexican's 73.
In sudden death, Ochoa made a par at the second extra hole -- the par-4 10th -- to repeat her 2005 win at Rochester.
"It was a really good day. Not at the beginning of the day but at the end and I'm really happy," Ochoa said. "I've been celebrating tonight, because it was important. I was a few shots behind. I was trying to be patient and it was worth it making the eagle on 17 really, you know, it was very special. I will remember that day for the rest of my life -- winning my first playoff."
Now Ochoa will attempt to fill another gap on her impressive resume by claiming her first major title at the US Women's Open at Pine Needles, North Carolina, on Thursday.
"I like my chances for next week," she said.
The 19-year-old Kim had been three ahead of the field on the 17th, but Ochoa cut the margin to one when she eagled the long 17th with an 6m putt.
"That eagle at 17 was the only thing I could do to put pressure on I.K. and give myself a chance for something to happen," said Ochoa, who hit a four-iron second shot.
"I hit it really good, at the pin," she said. "As soon as I hit it I knew it was a really good pace and break. It was a great moment. I would like to see that on TV."
At the tough par-4 18th, Kim hit her second through the green and failed to get up and down for par. At the second extra hole, she drove into trees.
Kim was disappointed to surrender the victory, but pleased with her week as a whole.
"Every hole, I tried my best, even the last par putt," she said. "I mean she is the No. 1 player. I'm a rookie this year and played with her in the final round and went to a playoff."
"I can see the future more clearly after this round," she said.
After Ochoa eagled 17, Kim fell into the playoff with a bogey at 18.
"I was just trying to hit it a little nice eight-iron up there, but ... it went over and I had a hard chip," Kim said.
"I didn't think about that, I just tried to not play for par," she said.
South Korea's Kim Mi-hyun was third, firing a 69 for 281. She had damaged her chances for a victory with third-round 75 on Saturday and was happy to bounce back with a better round.
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