Kim tops Feng in playoff at Lorena Ochoa Invitational

Mexico City, Mexico (SportsNetwork.com) - Christina Kim made a par on the second playoff hole to defeat Shanshan Feng and win the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

Kim, who went wire-to-wire for the victory, finished regulation tied with Feng at 15-under-par 273. Kim fired a final-round, 1-under 71, while Feng carded a 6-under 66.

Feng used four birdies on the back nine to catch Kim, but after both players made par at the first playoff hole, Feng tripped to a bogey on the second playoff hole, giving Kim the title at Club de Mexico Golf.

"I'm at a loss for words right now," Kim said. "I've been through a lot ... That has brought me some comfort knowing that with the downs come the highs."

The next closest competitor was world No. 1 Inbee Park, who shot a 4-under 68 to finish alone in third at 11-under 277. Brittany Lincicome (69) and So Yeon Ryu (71) ended tied for fourth at 9-under 279.

Defending champion Lexi Thompson shot a 1-over 73 to finish tied for 15th at 3-under 285.

Kim entered the day with a 5-shot advantage over Feng, and things really did not get tight until later on in the day.

While Kim poured in her first birdie of the day on No. 2, Feng drained an eagle on the par-5 to get within four shots. However, Feng tripped to a bogey on two to fall back to minus-10.

Kim dropped her first shot with a bogey on four and Feng went on to make a big birdie on No. 6 to get within three. Kim's advantage was back up to four when she drained a birdie on seven, but two holes later she made a mess of No. 9 and made bogey.

With Feng making three straight pars from seven to end her front nine, the duo made the turn with Kim still leading by three shots. Kim made another gain on No. 10, but Feng came back with a birdie of her own on 11 to stay within three.

Feng made it back-to-back birdies with a gain on 12, but Kim had an answer again with a birdie on the par-4 13th. Then the wheels started to come off a little bit for Kim as she tripped to two straight bogeys on 14 and 15. Feng made a huge gain on 15 and just like that she was tied with Kim atop the leaderboard at minus-14.

Kim jumped back into the lead when she made back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17, while Feng made a gain of her own on the par-5 17th to give herself a chance heading to the final hole.

It was a tough way to finish regulation for Kim as she tripped to a bogey at the last. Meanwhile, Feng closed things out with a par to force a playoff.

Kim did not let the rough ending of regulation rattle her. After trading pars on the first playoff hole, Kim and Feng returned to No. 18 for the third straight time. This time Feng was the one who made bogey, while Kim poured in a par to claim the title.

"This tournament for me is just so important," said Kim. "I have a long history with Lorena. She's always someone that I've always admired and I've tried to emulate her the last four days. I hope I did her proud."

NOTES: Kim's last win came at the 2005 Tournament of Champions ... Entering this week, Kim had just two top-10 finishes on the season, but she did end runner-up at the ShopRite LPGA Classic ... Kim lost the only other playoff she has ever been in at the 2010 Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic ... Kim earned $200,000 with this win ... Thompson holed out on her second shot at the par-5 second hole for an albatross ... The season-long Race to the CME Globe comes to a close next week when the LPGA Tour finishes up its season at the CME Group Tour Championship, where Feng won last year.