Australia's Minjee Lee could not capitalise on a golden opportunity after a television viewer's email blew open the year's first women's golf major, prompting calls for a rule change.
Seeking her first major title, Lee was catapulted into a share of lead at the ANA Inspiration midway through final round when runaway frontrunner Lexi Thompson was hit with a four-shot penalty for a rules infraction the previous day.
But Lee faltered with bogeys on the 14th and 17th holes, tying for third as a brave Thompson rallied to force a playoff only to be beaten by South Korea's So Yeon Ryu at the first extra hole.
It was still a career-best finish in a major for 20-year-old Lee, who made birdies on the second, seventh, ninth, 12th and 18th holes as she shot a closing 69 and tied with Inbee Park of South Korea and Suzanne Pettersen of Norway one shot outside the playoff.
Thompson was ahead by three shots when officials informed her of her big penalty after being dobbed in by a viewer.
"An email came to both (LPGA rules official) Sue Witters and myself that someone on television had viewed what was a possible infraction," Dan Maselli, LPGA manager of rules and competition, told the Golf Channel.
After checking video footage officials found Thompson had replaced her ball closer to the hole on a green after marking it during her Saturday round at Mission Hills Country in Rancho Mirage, California.
She copped a two-shot penalty for that and further two shots because she had therefore signed an incorrect third round scorecard before the infraction was reported and investigated.
The 22-year-old was visibly shaken and moved to tears when told the news at the 12th hole, asking the official: "Is this a joke? That's just ridiculous."
She rallied to card a closing five-under 67 and draw level at 14-under 274 with Ryu who had a 68, but Ryu triumphed with a birdie at the first extra hole.
"It is unfortunate with what happened, I did not mean that at all, I had no idea that I did it," said Thompson, who won her only major title at this event in 2014.
"I had to regroup myself ... I tried to gather myself and I made a great putt (for birdie) at 13.
"I learned a lot about myself and how much I have in me. I wasn't expecting what happened today to happen and I will learn from it."
Ryu was the lucky beneficiary as she claimed a second major title, but she admitted her win did not feel right.
"I cannot believe the situation. I didn't even check the leaderboard, Lexi was playing so well. I didn't expect it," she said.
"It hurts me as well, it is a weird feeling but at the same time I am proud of myself."
The mid-round ruling sparked a social media storm, with Tiger Woods among many unhappy with the mid-round decision.
"Viewers at home should not be officials wearing stripes," tweeted Woods.
Women's No.1 Lydia Ko, who finished in a tie for 11th, said on Twitter: "Unbelievable... really need to CHANGE and do something about people being able to call in!"
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