Jennifer Kupcho emerged victorious from a three-way playoff with defending champion Nelly Korda and Ireland’s Leona Maguire to claim her second career title at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give on Sunday.

The American got off to a slow start, carding a double bogey on the par-4 third and a bogey on the par-4 sixth. Two birdies and a bogey on the back nine, however, buoyed Kupcho back into contention.

“I struggled a little bit at the beginning, so it tells me I can really come back from it,” said Kupcho. “I’ve always known I’m a back-nine player, and that definitely came into effect today.”

Kupcho’s comeback helped her finish at 18-under 270, matching Korda and Maguire to force a playoff. Korda dropped out of the playoff on the first extra hole after her three-putt par, while Maguire missed her three-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole to secure Kupcho the win.

“I fought my way back on the back nine and snuck into the playoff,” said Korda in her second-straight start since returning from surgery to address a blood clot in her arm. “Unfortunately, sometimes you have it and sometimes you don’t. If you told me I think three, four months ago when I was in the ER that I would be here I would be extremely happy.”

Sunday’s win marks Kupcho’s second career title, joining her trophy from April at Mission Hills.

 

Defending champion Nelly Korda bounced back after a slow start Saturday, making a 22-foot eagle putt on the 18th to secure a one-shot lead heading into the final round at the Meijer LPGA Classic.

Korda fired a 6-under 66 to finish at 18-under 198 at Blythefield Country Club in just her second start back after a prolonged absence from a blood clot in her left arm.

“I’m just happy to be out there playing again,” Korda said. “I’m in contention, but, again, I’ve been in this position before. Thankfully, I can lean on that.”

Fellow American Jennifer Kupcho shot a 69 to fall behind playing partner Korda by one stroke. Kupcho is coming off a landmark victory, securing her first LPGA Tour title in April at Mission Hills.

“The whole top of the leaderboard are all good players,” Kupcho said. “Anything can happen. Anything can happen on the back nine.”

Brooke Henderson and Lexi Thompson round out the top of the leaderboard, finishing the third round at 15-under and 14-under, respectively.

The Meijer LPGA Classic concludes on Sunday, airing on the Golf Channel starting at 3 p.m. ET.