Ayaka Furue came up just short for the second straight year at the Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play on Sunday, losing 3-and-1 in the final to Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand.
Furue defeated Leona Maguire of Ireland 2-and-1 in the semifinals earlier in the day but missed out on her second title on tour, with Anannarukarn winning her second instead.
"It's really frustrating to manage to get to the final two years in a row and lose again," the 23-year-old said.
Furue went one up after the second hole of the final but Anannarukarn tied it immediately on the following hole. After trading hole wins, the Thai took the lead on the seventh and held it to the turn.
The Thai 23-year-old won three holes to Furue's one on the back nine, including the decisive 17th.
"I hung in there, but she outdrove me along with good approach play and it was tough," Furue said.
"I missed a lot when I had the chance to birdie, which is something I have to reflect on."