Emma Talley remains thankful for experience and having rediscovered her game despite playoff loss

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You knew Emma Talley was disappointed. How could she not be? She lost a playoff at the ISPS Handa World Invitational in Ireland Sunday when she had a bogey on the second extra hole — the par-5 18th — to allow Pajaree Anannarukarn to earn her first LPGA Tour victory.

Talley finished 16-under par and was 3-under par in the final round. She was two strokes down with three holes to play in regulation but played those last three holes 1-under par to get into a playoff to keep alive her hopes for her first LPGA Tour win.

However, she hit into a bunker both times with her drive off No. 18 in the two playoff holes and the second time paid the price when she could not save par.

Yet there was no hesitation on Talley’s part to quickly congratulate the winner and find the positives about the week for her.

“I had to learn how to play the game again. I lost my game for two years, so this confidence I can just build on and learn from it and keep going. I’m excited,” the former Caldwell County state high school champion said. “I haven’t been like this in a long time, so just super excited and excited to kick some butt this year.”

Talley is now 62nd on the official money list with $219,825 after earning about $120,000 in northern Ireland and should not have to worry about any trip back to qualifying school to keep her LPGA Tour card.

It was her second big payday in the last month as she was fourth at the Volunteers of America Class and won $63,230. That’s a big rebound from missing the cut in seven of her first 10 tournaments this year and finishing no higher than 59th.

Talley, 27, has been working to revamp her game and the tourney at Galgorm Castle & Massereene Golf Club certainly showcased the belief she now has in her play as well as the tenacity she’s always had. Her bubbly personality was the talk of the Golf Channel analysts and she certainly showed that off during an on-course interview during Sunday’s tight final round.

It was a “weird” last two days because she was paired with Jennifer Kupcho — who hit a ball in the water on the final hole of regulation to miss the playoff. Kupcho’s caddie is Talley’s boyfriend, Patrick Smith.

“It was hard to watch them on 18, but what a great day. We were all battling all day, and that’s what makes it, right?” Talley said. “I think we were both a little nervous on the playoff holes. They weren’t great shots.

“But she (Anannaruken) played great today. She putted amazing. Yeah, kudos to her. I’m just proud of myself for putting myself in this situation, and I look forward to next week.”

Talley said she learned Saturday how to handle having her boyfriend in the same pairing with her.

“It was much better today. I wish I would have known that prior to yesterday, but you can’t know everything, right? Everyone is learning every day. Next time if we’re ever paired together I’ll know how to go along with it,” she said.

“But yeah, it was a good day. Like I said, unfortunately, I didn’t get it done, but I actually wrote in my yardage book last night, I just put, on 18, because I obviously didn’t know what was going to happen, I put “Thank God for this opportunity and the experience no matter what happens.” That’s truly how I feel.”