Liv Cheng of Auckland has posted her first win on the Symetra Tour, the second-tier professional golf circuit in the United States.
The win came in the Gateway Classic played at the Longbow Golf Club in Arizona from March 30-April 1.
Cheng scored a two-under par score of 70 in her final round to force a playoff with Mina Harigae of California.
The playoff went to a second extra hole before Cheng prevailed and bank the winner’s purse of $US15,000 ($NZ21,000).
“It feels amazing and I still can’t believe it,” said Cheng. “I’m over the moon excited.”
Cheng made a 17-foot par putt on the 17th hole and a par on the 18th to get into the clubhouse with the lead at seven-under. Harigae, who was the co-leader entering the final day, made a 10-foot par putt on the 18th to force the playoff.
Said Cheng: “I was out of position with my driver, but I stuck to it and scrambled.
“I never gave up and trusted myself and the putts rolled in. I think I had 11 putts on the back nine and that really helped with scoring.”
After two pars on the first play-off hole, Harigae’s second shot went into the hazard on the second play-off hole and that opened the door for Cheng, who was able to drop an 8-footer for par to claim the victory.
Cheng had just 24 putts in the final round.
“My putter feels really good right now, definitely the best club in my bag right now,” said Cheng.
Cheng had had just one top 10 finish over her first two years on the Symetra Tour. The win certainly puts her in a great spot early in the season.
“This is my third year playing on the Symetra Tour and I feel like this year I have the tools in my game to play better and get myself on the LPGA Tour.”
Cheng finished 63rd on the money list in 2016 and 108th as a rookie in 2015.
“The win this week makes me really happy that the hard work is starting to pay off. I’m definitely starting to see results.”
Cheng was a four-time WCC First-Team performer while in college at Pepperdine.
“After college, I decided that I wanted to play professional golf and pursue a career,” said Cheng.
“I’ve seen some of my friends do well on the LPGA and that is where I want to be.”
Cheng grew up playing junior golf with and against world No. 1 Lydia Ko.
She if the first player from New Zealand to win on the Symetra Tour since 2011 when Cathryn Bristow won. Bristow and Cheng are the only two from New Zealand to win on the Symetra Tour.