World No.1 women’s golfer Yani Tseng from Taiwan holds up the Honda LPGA Thailand 2012 trophy after a superb final round 66 at Siam Country Club Old Course on Sunday gave her back to back victories in the event.
Yani Tseng wins thrilling Honda LPGA Thailand 2012
Pattaya (AP) – Top-ranked Yani Tseng successfully defended her LPGA Thailand title for her 13th LPGA Tour victory, with birdies on the final two holes last Sunday to hold off playing partner Ai Miyazato by a stroke.
The 23-year-old Taiwanese star shot a 6-under 66 to finish at 19-under 269 on Siam Country Club’s Old Course in Pattaya. She opened with a 73, then shot consecutive 65s to enter the final round a shot behind Miyazato.
World No.1 women’s golfer Yani Tseng from Taiwan holds up the Honda LPGA Thailand 2012 trophy after a superb final round 66 at Siam Country Club Old Course on Sunday gave her back to back victories in the event.
Last year, Tseng won the event for the first of her seven 2011 LPGA Tour victories, including major victories in the LPGA Championship and Women’s British Open. The five-time major champion finished the year with 12 worldwide victories. She has 33 career worldwide professional victories.
“I felt much more pressure coming into this year,” Tseng said. “Last year, when I started, I was nothing. I was just in the top five in the world, but I didn’t have 12 wins or world No. 1 title (but) now the pressure just keeps going on and on.”
Yani Tseng celebrates after holing a putt to win the Honda LPGA Thailand 2012 at Siam Country Club.
On the par-5 18th, she came through with the pressure on, nearly holing her 104-yard approach and tapping in for the winning birdie.
“It was tough. I had 104 to the pin and a little uphill. I knew my ball was going to spin a lot, so I just tried to keep it low and not spin too much. … I was very proud of myself for hitting that shot into 18 and making birdie to win.”
Miyazato, the Japanese player who won the 2010 tournament, also birdied the final two holes in her 68.
“Of course, Yani is No. 1, so I knew it wouldn’t be easy today,” Miyazato said. “I kind of expected her to play that way.”
South Korea’s Jiyai Shin, who tied for the lead with Tseng after a birdie of her own on the par-4 17th, had a 67 to finish two strokes back.
Yani Tseng shows off the trophy on the 18th green following the presentation ceremony.
Tseng eagled the par-5 opening hole and Miyazato had a birdie, leaving them tied at 15 under. Tseng took the lead with a birdie on the par-4 third, and added birdies on the par-4 sixth and par-5 seventh. At the turn, she had a three-stroke lead over Shin and four-shot advantage over Miyazato.
“I played really well on the front nine, but it was tough on the back nine, especially when you see Jiyai and Ai keep making birdies,” Tseng said. “It got tight down the stretch. It was tough. I feel like I had lots of emotions today.”
Shin, playing a group ahead of Tseng and Miyazato, birdied the par-4 10th to pull within two and gained another stroke when Tseng bogeyed the hole. Tseng pushed her lead to two with a birdie on the par-3 12th, but bogeyed the par-4 13th.
Miyazato birdied the 10th and pulled within one of Tseng with a birdie on the par-4 15th, then matched Tseng with a par on 16 and the birdies on 17 and 18.
“Overall, I played really well and I’m very happy that I could finish strong today,” Miyazato said about her season debut. “I really enjoyed playing with Yani, but next time I want to win.”
South Korea’s Amy Yang shot a 69 to finish fourth at 14 under.
Sixteen-year-old Thai amateur Ariya Jutanugarn followed her third-round 65 with a 74 to tie for 12th on 7 under. She played the final five holes in 4 over, making a double-bogey 7 on No. 18. Last year, Jutanugarn won the U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship and was the Rolex Junior Player of the Year.
Second-ranked Suzann Pettersen had a 78 to drop into a tie for 21st at 4 under. She began the round four strokes out of the lead.
(Photos Martin Bilsborrow)
Japan’s Ai Miyazato sinks a birdie putt on the final hole.
Ai Miyazato tees off on the 10th hole during the final round.
Crowds surround the green at the 18th.
South Korea’s Jiyai Shin lines up a par putt on the short 16th hole.
Karrie Webb of Australia watches a chip shot roll back to her feet as she takes a nine on the 7th hole to end her chances of victory.
Yani’s fan club were in full voice throughout the tournament.
