Golf: Cristie Kerr sees off Pettersen for title

Cristie Kerr claimed her third Kingsmill Championship crown after beating Suzann Pettersen in a sudden-death play-off in Williamsburg late on Sunday.

Kerr sank a short putt on the second hole of the play-off for par after Pettersen bogeyed.

Kerr had begun the day with a two-shot lead, but her two-under 69 was bettered by Pettersen’s 67 to force the extra holes at the River Course.

Both players had four birdies, but Kerr bogeyed the fifth and 14th holes to surrender her advantage.

Thai teenager Ariya Jutanugarn, who led going into the weekend, recovered from Saturday’s 73 with a round of 66 to share third place with Ilhee Lee.

Stacy Lewis, who had enjoyed a share of second overnight alongside Pettersen, could only manage a final round of 70 and dropped back into a share of fifth alongside Angela Stanford.

It was the second year in a row the tournament ended in a playoff.

Last year, Paula Creamer and Jiyai Shin played the longest two-player play-off in tour history – nine holes – before Shin won. That victory came on the Monday morning, after the two played the 18th hole eight extra times in a row Sunday night.