EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France -- Natalie Gulbis won the Evian Masters with a birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff with Jang Jeong of South Korea on Sunday.
It was the first LPGA Tour victory for the 24-year-old American.
Gulbis and Jang had finished the fourth round tied at 4-under 284. Gulbis, who won $450,000, had a final round 70, and Jang birdied the last hole to finish with a 72.
Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa was one shot behind and tied for third place with Juli Inkster of the United States and Shin Ji-yai of South Korea. Ochoa had six birdies in her closing 68, but dropped a shot at the last.
Inkster, the leader by two shots after the first three rounds, finished with a 75. She had three bogeys in the last five holes and three-putted the par five 18th after reaching the green in two.
Shin had a birdie four at the last for a round of 72.
Michelle Wie finished tied for 69th place on 16-over 304, after a final round 76.
Sophie Gustafson was in contention on 4 under until she dropped shots at the 17th and 18th. At the last hole, the Swede hit her second shot into the water hazard guarding the green and finished with 2-under 286.
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| It took her some time, but Natalie Gulbis finally came away with her first LPGA win. (Getty Images) |
Gulbis started the day four behind Inkster and had birdies at the 1st, 6th and 9th. Out in 33, she was 5 under and shared the lead with Shin.
Also in the hunt at the halfway point were former top-ranked Annika Sorenstam, Gustafson and Inkster. They all made the turn at 4 under.
Despite difficult winds, Gulbis thought she had not done enough when she came home in 37.
Jang, the 2005 Women's British Open champion, birdied three of the last four holes to tie Gulbis. At the first extra hole, the 18th, Jang missed the green with her second but Gulbis did not.
