Lindberg, who had led for all four rounds of the tournament, drained a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-four 10th to set up her victory over seven-time major winner Park at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.

The 31-year-old’s birdie left Park needing to make an awkward 10-footer to force an extra playoff hole, but the 2013 champion missed to hand Lindberg the win.

“I just know I’m a grinder. Towards the end yesterday I felt ‘This is mine, I’m going to do this’,” said Lindberg, who has registered only a handful of top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour after more than 180 tournaments.

“I just knew I could so I just kept fighting away. I couldn’t believe it when that last putt went in,” added Lindberg, whose previous best finish at a major was a share of fifth at the 2015 US Women’s Open.

Lindberg celebrated her victory with the traditional dive into the Poppie’s Pond hazard at the 18th green — and was joined in the water by her parents, Jan and Gunilla.

“The only reason I’m playing golf is because of them,” Lindberg said.

“It’s so great that they were here. I’ve probably given my dad I don’t know how many heart attacks over the past few days.

“But I’m so happy they’re here and I get to celebrate this with them.”

– Mounting tension –

The playoff had extended into Monday after Lindberg and Park finished in near-darkness on Sunday, unable to land a decisive blow through four extra holes.

Their duel resumed at just after 8:00am local time Monday on the par-four 10th, with Lindberg coming within a couple of inches of draining a monster birdie putt that would have completed victory.

Lindberg had to settle for a par however which left Park a 25-foot birdie putt for the championship.

The 29-year-old seven-time major winner’s effort rolled up short however, leaving her with a tap-in which she duly converted.

Play then moved to the par-three 17th, but in a sign of mounting tension, both players fluffed their tee shots.

Park’s seven iron off the tee kicked into the bunker at the front of the green before Lindberg then squandered an opportunity to capitalise by sending her tee shot into the deep rough.

Both players then chipped onto the green to leave themselves with long putts to make par.

Park ramped up the pressure on Lindberg by draining her putt from 15ft, leaving Lindberg a 12-footer to stay in the match.

The Swede rose to the challenge magnificently, rolling in the putt to take it to a seventh playoff hole at the 531-yard par-five 18th.

After both players found the fairway off the tee, Lindberg then ripped her second shot onto the green to leave herself with a long eagle putt.

Park opted for a conservative approach, laying up and then hitting a perfect wedge to eight feet with her third.

Lindberg steered her eagle attempt wide to around six feet, but Park missed her birdie chance to hand the Swede the chance to drain her putt for victory.

Lindberg’s rock-solid putting game deserted her however and she missed to send it back to the 10th tee for the eighth extra hole.

Park appeared to have taken the advantage after hitting her second shot to around 10 feet.

But Lindberg sank her long birdie putt to leave the Korean needing to make hers to save the match, and when her effort missed Lindberg — ranked 95th in the world — had won.

Woods, and the potential for his first major victory since the 2008 US Open and first Masters win since 2005, was the talk of the course, even with a dozen other stars on peak form ahead of Thursday’s start of the year’s first major championship.

“When Tiger walked onto the range there was an anticipation and excitement from the crowd to watch him compete again,” said Britain’s Justin Rose, last year’s Masters runner-up and the 2013 US Open champion.

Woods hasn’t won a title since 2013 but after failed comebacks and four back surgeries, the last a spinal fusion, he’s a contender again at age 42.

“I got a second chance on life,” Woods said on his website. “I am a walking miracle.”

Woods shared second at the PGA Valspar Championship and fifth at Bay Hill in his Masters tuneups.

“This year is going to be different,” Woods said. “This year I’m healthy. I can play and I can compete.”

Former world number one Woods, now ranked 103, practiced with Fred Couples and 2017 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas as fans flocked to watch every shot for a hint of the magic that brought him Masters titles in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005.

“When it comes to Tiger and the Tigermania that comes with it, that everyone wants to see him win and play the way he did before,” said Australian Jason Day, the 2015 PGA Championship winner. “Everyone’s kind of champing at the bit for him to get here and see how he’s moving and everything.”

Thomas, Rose and top-ranked Dustin Johnson plus multiple major winners Rory McIlroy — seeking a career Grand Slam with a win — and Jordan Spieth all enter the Masters playing well. But the biggest roars are for Woods.

“There’s a number of guys that are playing really nice,” Day said. “But everyone is kind of solely focused on Tiger and what he’s going to do here and seeing if he can get to number 15.

“That’s fine with us. I can just focus on what I need to do to try and win.

“There’s going to be a buzz around Augusta this week with Tiger being on the grounds and it’s going to be exciting to see, but everyone else has got a game plan to do. They’ve got to try and be the person that’s going to slip on that green jacket on Sunday.”

– Forgotten Tiger feats? –

Day said the 10-year major drought had people forgetting what Woods has done, his major title total four shy of the all-time record of Jack Nicklaus and his 79 PGA wins three off Sam Snead’s record.

“I think a lot of people quickly forgot what he had accomplished in his career as he got injured and was out for a while,” Day said. “That’s just life. Everyone lives fast now. Everyone wants instant gratification.

“Now that he’s back and he looks kind of where he was before, everyone’s getting that taste back in there, like, oh, let’s see what he can do.”

Woods and Spieth are Las Vegas oddsmaker favorites with McIlroy, Thomas and Johnson just behind followed by Rose, Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson.

“We’re all favorites,” two-time Masters winner Watson said. “We’re all good enough to win out here.”

– Tiger ‘going to threaten’ –

But Woods has wily veterans admiring how he is hitting the ball further off the tee despite spinal fusion.

“He’s going to threaten,” three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo said. “He has the potential. His game is amazing. I think he’s ahead of schedule.

“How he has found five more mph in clubhead speed in his 40s after a fused back is unbelievable.”

Two-time winner Bernhard Langer noted that Woods’s return was just one of the week’s great storylines.

“You’ve got great champions at all ages and they all seem to have a possible chance,” the 60-year-old German said. “That’s fantastic leading up to the tournament.”

Sergio Garcia, who won his first major title after 73 failed attempts at last year’s Masters, will try to join Woods, Faldo and Jack Nicklaus as the only back-to-back Masters winners.

The younger Ariya shot a brilliant 65 to finish with a 14-under-par 274, which made her one of the co-leaders before the awesome threesome of Park Inbee of South Korea, Jennifer Song of the US and overnight-leader Pernilla Lindberg of Sweden signed a stroke better at a 15-under-par 273.

Park and the underdog Linberg were still neck-and-neck after the fourth play-off and had to resume their duel last night. Song was out in the third tie-break.

“Before I teed off, I just felt like I really wanted to keep things under control and I just wanted to have fun because I have great memories here and I love this course,” said Ariya, who could have made a four-way lead in the end had she made a birdie putt on the 18th hole.

She and elder sister Moriya sparked Thai hopes of a first major win, as Moriya was also among the leaders at 13-under after the front nine.

“It’s awesome for me because I played good, and I had a chance to watch her play, and I was rooting for her to make some birdies and make some putts,” added Ariya, who settled at joint fourth along with American Jessica Korda, the LPGA Thailand winner in February.

Moriya Jutanugarn

The 2013 Rookie of the Year, Moriya, saw her chance slip after two bogeys on the 10th and 12th holes before she shot her last birdie on the 15th to settle with 13 under-par 275 for tied sixth. “It was the first major of the year, and I finished in the top 10. It’s always great to see your name on the leaderboard. I never get bored with that,” said Moriya.

Pornanong Phatlum, with an ending 67, took the lone 15th position with a total nine under-par- 279.

Thai teenager Atthaya Thitikul carded a 69 to finish with a 5-under-par 283 to be tied at 30th which earned her the Low-Amateur title.

Atthaya Thitikul 

NCL Dynamites from Bangladesh gave an outstanding display as they scored 104 in five overs against Lord’s Taverners. St Francis de Sales lost to Yorkshire Puddings in the Cup semi-finals last year but they gained emphatic revenge on their rivals as Aaron Maynard claimed three catches and a wicket then scored an unbeaten 29 in a remarkable all-round display.

Thunder, Dynamites and St Francis have all now have two wins in the Players’ Section and the other front-runners are UN Irish Pub who gained their second victory by defeating Roosters.

Former Bangladesh captain Faruque Ahmed played for NCL Masters against Lanna as Thai junior Chaiwut dismissed first-class player Rubaiyat in an exciting last-over finish.

Darjeeling are the leading team in the Gentlemen’s Section after two convincing victories and competitive cricket continued right to the end of the day as newcomers Beijing Ducks, watched by team-mates back in China, beat Awali, and the young Thai Thevada side defeated Darwin Dilettantes in the last match of the day.

The route started in front of the National Archives, in Chanthaburi province and finished in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province.

Sarawut, of Thailand Continental  Cycling Team, finished first place among the ASEAN riders. This made him lead the best time of 8.14.08 hours after two stages followed by Saleh Mohd Samri of Terengganu Cycling Team from Malaysia with 8.14.13.

While Iribe Shotaro  of Shimano Cycling Team, Japan,  ignored the hot wave of the sun and sprinted to cross the finishing line with 2.55.06 hours in f the distance of 173 km to win the second stage and also become the new leader who will wear the pink jersey with the best time of  8.14.04 hours with  Sarawut following four seconds behind .Moreover, Thailand Continental Cycling Team is still the team leader of ASEAN after two stages  with a total 24.42.53 hours, with  Thailand national team and KFC Cycling Team of Indonesia following at second and third.

The third stage of 177.70 km will start at 9am from Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province and finish at Khao Yai  National Park .

The 14th seed had lost his previous three major tour final appearances in 2012, 2013 and 2016 but came back from a set down to beat Zverev in two hours and 29 minutes.

The victory capped a superb tournament for Isner, who endured a difficult start to 2018 which included an early-round exit at Indian Wells in his lead-in to Miami.

“I couldn’t have scripted this. I came into this tournament, I won one ATP [World Tour] match all year and was playing very poorly,” Isner said.

“I won my first match in three sets and that’s how tennis goes — you start to gain a little confidence and next thing you know things start to roll your way.”

Isner is the first US player since Andy Roddick in 2010 to lift the Miami title.

Isner will also reclaim a career high world ranking of ninth after the victory, the 13th title of his career.

“It’s up to me now to keep pushing forward,” he said. “To get over the hump in tournaments like this is a big thing mentally for me.

“We cleared that hurdle this week. I went into every match super fresh and loose. I will be a force if I can continue to play freely.”

Both Zverev and Isner were faultless in their service games and the first set predictably went the distance before fourth seed Zverev prevailed when Isner sprayed a backhand wide.

The break, however, finally came for Isner at 4-4 in the second set and when Zverev, who missed the chance to return to number three in the world with this defeat, failed to hold at 5-4 in the third, Isner sealed the best win of his career with an ace.

The German, whose frustrations boiled over when he smashed his racket on the ground after that critical break, proved his billing as one of stars of the future by making his third Masters final and now heads to Spain where Germany play in the quarter-final of the Davis Cup.

“I missed more shots today than I did the whole tournament. I played badly from the baseline but it’s not easy against John,” said Zverev who admitted he will have just one day of practice before taking on the Spaniards in Valencia. “He always makes it difficult.

“I kind of lost the match myself but I have known him since I was 14 so although I am never happy to lose, I am happy for him that he’s won his first Masters.”

It was a fitting way for American players to say goodbye to Key Biscayne, home of the Miami Open for the last 32 years, before the move to Hard Rock Stadium next year. Florida born Sloane Stephens won the women’s title on Saturday before Isner stepped up to the plate 24 hours later.

“With the atmosphere and the support, it was amazing,” said Isner.

“You just can’t replicate that and for me to come out the winner in the last men’s single match ever here is unique.”

Defeat for Chelsea shattered their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League as Tottenham opened up an eight-point lead over their closest challengers for fourth place.

Ending their long wait for a win at their London rivals is just the latest sign of the progress made under Pochettino.

And it was even more impressive as they came from behind as a huge error from Hugo Lloris gifted Alvaro Morata the opening goal when the Tottenham goalkeeper misjudged a cross in the 30th minute.

Christan Eriksen’s sublime long-range strike drew Tottenham level in first-half stoppage time.

Alli took centre stage to end a barren run with two smart finishes in the 62nd and 66th minutes.

Tottenham could even afford the luxury of doing the damage without Harry Kane, who made his return from a three-week layoff with ankle ligament damage 16 minutes from time.

It was a sweet moment for Alli, who has endured criticism for some erratic performances this season.

“He’s a great talent and I have no doubts about him. Young players need room to breath,” Pochettino said.

“There’s pressure on their shoulders. But he has nothing to show to me or Tottenham.

“It’s more about the expectation being so high. I’m so happy for him.”

After a long run of poor results in away fixtures against their top four rivals, Tottenham finally proved they can win when the stakes are highest.

Pochettino, yet to win a trophy with Tottenham, said: “After 28 years it is important to win here. It’s a happy day for everyone – fans, players. We feel very proud.”

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admitted Eriksen’s equaliser was a hammer blow after his side had dominated for much of the first half.

“The goal at the end of the first half it wasn’t good for us and our confidence. We deserved to go in 2-0 up but football is this and Eriksen scored a fantastic goal,” he said.

“Second half we tried to score again but Tottenham have been more clinical than us. In this season we are not so clinical and then we lost the game.”

– Conte rues Chelsea flop –

Failing to qualify for the Champions League could trigger Conte’s departure at the end of the season after he spent much of the campaign feuding with the club’s hierarchy over their failure to back his transfer plans.

But Conte wouldn’t concede Chelsea are out of the race for the top four.

“For sure we lost a great chance today to reduce the gap with Tottenham,” he said.

“There are seven games to go and we have to do our best until the end. At the end of the season you finish in the position you deserve.”

At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal warmed up for Thursday’s crucial Europa League quarter-final against CSKA Moscow with three goals in the final 15 minutes against second bottom Stoke.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the first two, including a penalty opener.

Alexandre Lacazette netted the third, also from the spot, after Aubameyang passed up the chance of a hat-trick to give his out-of-form team-mate a welcome confidence boost.

Asked if he was surprised Aubameyang did not take the second penalty, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: “No, because I know they have a good understanding.

“I like that because it can only make the team stronger. That shows well the state of our society because when people are generous we are surprised.”

Frustrated by the first penalty decision, Stoke manager Paul Lambert called for the Premier League to introduce the Video Assistant Referee system that has so far only been used in cup competitions in England.

“I’ve seen VAR work. I saw it in Germany and it worked seamlessly, absolutely no problem at all,” he said.

Arsenal defeated relegation-haunted Stoke 3-0 with Aubameyang scoring twice — a penalty and another from open play — with substitute Lacazette scoring the third, also from the spot a minute before time.

Aubameyang revealed he passed up the opportunity to score a maiden Arsenal hat-trick — he had scored two for Borussia Dortmund this season before his January transfer — because he wanted to help Lacazette.

The Frenchman had returned from injury for his first game since February 10 and accepted the gift gratefully.

“I had scored twice already so I knew it would be good for his confidence,” Aubameyang explained.

Some managers do not allow anybody other than the designated penalty-taker to have a go from 12 yards but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger made it clear he approved of the gesture.

“That shows the state of our society — that when people are generous they are surprised,” he said.

“Even more when it is footballers — and when it is strikers even more.

“I wasn’t surprised because I know they have a good understanding. I like that because it can only make the team stronger. I think it’s great.”

Meanwhile, Wenger’s opinion on Aubameyang’s new hairstyle remains unknown.

– Hair’s to you –

The Gabon forward had the name Marina etched on to the side of his head.

“It is my grandmother’s name,” he said. “She passed away last week so this is my dedication to her.”

The win did nothing to alter the Gunners’ position of sixth in the Premier League table, and they are now concentrating on the Europa League, with CSKA Moscow due at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday for a quarter-final first leg clash.

But Stoke boss Paul Lambert was left fuming with the penalty decision on the first goal.

A point would have been precious to second bottom Stoke and they were 15 minutes away from achieving just that when referee Craig Pawson awarded a penalty for Bruno Martins Indi’s challenge on Mesut Ozil.

Lambert was convinced the penalty should not have been given as Martin Indi, although approaching from a position behind Ozil, had got enough on the ball.

The Scot argued that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system — not yet used in the Premier League — would have seen the original decision overturned had it been in operation.

“It was a game-changer because a couple of minutes earlier we had hit the post,” he said.

“I know we have the benefit of replays and Craig doesn’t but for the big moments you have to be so precise.”

VAR has courted plenty of controversy itself since trials began in the FA Cup earlier this season, but Lambert was a fan.

“I’ve seen VAR work in Germany,” he said. “It worked seamlessly, absolutely no problem at all.

“We bring it over here and it seems to be confusing but for this sort of incident? Absolutely. The referees need help for the big calls.”

Wenger inevitably had a different view to Lambert, the Arsenal boss saying: “From the outside it looked a penalty. I don’t think that Ozil dived.”

Stoke have managed just one win since Christmas and will have to conjure up some more points if they are to avoid relegation.

Lambert remained bullish about their prospects however. “I’m 100 percent confident we will stay up,” he said. “I thought that when I came in and nothing has changed my mind.

“I have won games here and come here and drawn and not played as well as that.

“We never deserved a 3-0. The first goal was always going to be crucial. The one thing that’s missing from our game at the minute is Lady Luck.

“I thought the players were brilliant. Performance-wise, I couldn’t have asked for more.”

The Bangladesh boys were back after an absence of two years with two teams as the NCL Dynamites beat Margate and the NCL Masters lost to St Francis.

Last year’s champions Kashmir CC have reformed as Kashmir Thunder but their star man Abaid, player of the tournament last year, was out first ball against Divine Felons.

Beaten finalists Yorkshire Puddings were impressive against Lanna but UN Irish Pub got off to a good start by beating Bristol.

Young Australian side Got the Runs could be this year’s dark horses as they defeated Roosters, a team full of experienced English club cricketers.

Thai Thevada got the tournament underway early on Sunday morning as they were narrowly beaten by Awali Taverners while Floggers and Robbers played two matches in the day, winning one and losing one as man of the day John Wood scored two 30s.

A wonderful day’s cricket ended with two ladies matches as Australian team Central Spirit gave a great exhibition of their cricket skills against the Varee Thai Angels.

 On Sunday the world No 101 beat Canadian Bianca Andreescu 6-3 6-3 in the final of the US$25,000 Kofu International Open in Japan, her first title since the SEA Games in Malaysia last August.

Luksika has opted to enter small events in Asia instead in the US hard-court season due a tight budget, which means she often has to play without the benefit of having her coach, Subin Sricha-aen, by her side.

“Several of my friends are surprised too. They thought that as the No 1 player in the country I should be able to afford the expense of my coach,” said Luksika, who re-ignited interest in Thai tennis by reaching the third round of the Australian Open in January, only the second Thai female after Tamarine Tanasugarn to do so.

She said she was often asked about her decision to play at the lower, ITF level while the WTA tour in the US is what every player aspires to reach.

She said many people mistakenly believed tennis players all enjoyed a glamorous life on tour.

“With the budget I have, I can only take my coach to some tournaments,” she said. “That’s why I haven’t gone to the US because I couldn’t compete without a mentor or someone I can consult with in a place far away like that. Even juniors players have to travel with their coaches.”

Luksika won’t reunite with Subin until the French Open and then the grass-court season, which features big events requiring professional help.

In the meantime she will limit herself to competing in four tournaments in Japan and China.

She also revealed she has begun preparing her CV to presented to companies as she seeks more sponsorship. She estimated she may need an extra BT500,000 at least to travel regularly with her coach and compete in WTA events for the rest of the season.

“I got it all wrong all along that if I had good results, the sponsors would come,” she admitted. “At a time like this, I have to approach them on my own if I still want to pursue my dream.”

After Tamarine, a former world No 19, Thailand had failed to even have a top-100 WTA player until Luksika came along.

She served notice of her potential in 2014 when she, as a qualifier, she had an upset win over Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the Australian Open first round – and four years later is still battling to fulfil that early promise.