Amy Yang wins LPGA Thailand by five strokes
Amy Yang of South Korea poses with her trophy for photographers during the award ceremony after winning the LPGA Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. Yang rarely wavered with a big lead during the final round of the tournament, shooting a 4-under 68 to win by five strokes Sunday. (Photo by NUTTAPONG MEELUNG/AP)
CHONBURI, Thailand — Amy Yang rarely wavered with a big lead during the final round of the Thailand LPGA tournament, shooting a 4-under 68 to win by five strokes Sunday.
Due to rain delays, Yang was forced to play her final five holes of the third round on Sunday morning, and she led by five strokes after 54 holes.
Later in the day, the 2015 Thailand champion saw her lead reduced to three shots on several occasions, but the South Korean held on to post a record 22-under 266 on the Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course.
The previous tournament record of 21 under was held by Suzann Pettersen in 2007 and Ai Miyazato in 2010.
Yang, who won for the third time on the LPGA Tour, made a 15-foot putt on the 14th for par, then drove the green on the par-4 15th.
“I knew I had to make it, and I did,” Yang said of her par putt on 14.
She missed her eagle attempt at 15, but made a three-foot putt for birdie to increase her lead to four shots with three to play. From there, her lead was safe and she birdied the 18th for good measure.
So Yeon Ryu, the 2011 US Women’s Open champion, matched Yang with a 68 to finish second.
Lexi Thompson had the best round of the day, a 67, to finish tied for fourth, nine strokes behind, and level with fellow American Danielle Kang, who shot 68.
The tournament featured 18 of the top 20 players in the world, including top-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who shot a closing 68 and was tied for eighth, 11 strokes behind.
“I am beyond happy, I had so many early wakeup calls this week,” said Yang, who had to play 31 holes on Saturday and 23 on Sunday. “I had to stay patient out there.”
Yang carded 10 birdies, one eagle and only one bogey over her second and partial third rounds on Saturday.
