Date: May 20, 2013
Author: Omnisport

Johnson edges fast-finishing Phatlum

Jennifer Johnson has overcome a late charge from Thailand&aposs Pornanong Phatlum to win the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic in Alabama. In a dramatic final day at the RTJ Golf Trail&aposs Magnolia Grove course, there was plenty of upheaval on the leaderboard with five of the top nine players posting scores of five under or better. Phatlum carded the equal best score on Sunday with a nine-under 63 to climb from a tie for 12th into a share of second, while Johnson produced a seven-under round to claim her maiden LPGA victory. Johnson birdied four of the last five holes in Mobile, Alabama, to claim the $180,000 winner&aposs purse, ending the tournament on 21 under overall, a stroke clear of Phatlum and Jessica Korda. Overnight leader Chella Choi dropped to a tie for fourth with a two-under 70 to finish on 19 under overall alongside fellow South Korean Jiyai Shin, who flew up the leaderboard with a 63, Thailand&aposs Ariya Jutanugarn, Karrie Webb of Australia and Sweden&aposs Anna Nordqvist. World number two Stacy Lewis was next on the leaderboard at 18 under, while Hee Kyung Seo and Lexi Thompson were a stroke further back in a tie for 10th.