Zhuhai, China: Zhang Weiwei delivered herself the perfect birthday gift by capturing the Zhuhai Hengqin Phoenix Tree Building Challenge. It was the first China LPGA Tour win for the Hainan-based pro, who turned 20 last week.
In wet and windy conditions in Guangdong Province, Zhang closed with a three-under-par 69 over the Orient Zhuhai A and C Composite Course for a score of 54-hole total of three-under 213.
Chinese-Taipei’s Lin Tzu-chi, the overnight co-leader, struggled to a 78 to finish runner-up at even-par, one stroke ahead of fellow islander Chen Min-jou (75) and Thai Parinda Phokan (70).
China’s Du Mohan was the top amateur. The 15-year-old closed with a 72 to sit equal fifth on 218 with Thais Narisara Kerdrit (72), Aunchisa Utama (72) and Renuka Suksukont (68).
China’s Yang Taoli, who led or shared the lead through the first two rounds, ballooned to an 81 to finish equal ninth one shot further back in a group of six players.
Prior to the RMB500,000 tournament, Zhang said she needed to be better in Zhuhai this week after coming close in previous events. Last year she finished third, three strokes behind Shi Yuting. In 2015, when the tournament was played as the Zhuhai Classic, she lost on the first hole of a play-off to Chinese-Taipei’s Babe Liu.
Zhang, who began the final round at even-par, had three bogeys and two birdies on the front nine to make the turn at one-over. She then found her range with birdies at 10, 11 and 13, before picking up another stroke at the par-three 17th.
“I feel excited. I’m emotional, very emotional. It seems a gift sent by the golf God. I didn’t think about the win, I just told myself to enjoy my game. Actually, I didn’t play a great front nine. But I didn’t give up. I was patient to the last hole, which was key to the victory,” she said.
“I would like to say this was the best 20th birthday gift. I believe I can have a better year than last year. My next step is Japan where I will play the development Tour. Hopefully I can have good preparation for the Q-School there at the end of the year.”
Lin saw her chances of a third China LPGA Tour victory slip away after struggling in the wind during a round that featured two birdies, three bogeys, a double-bogey and a triple-bogey.
“Zhang played great and had three-under in such tough conditions. I felt not great in the driving range going into the final round. I feel disappointed with myself,” said the 26-year-old from Taichung.
Water proved to be the undoing of Yang’s round on three separate occasions. At the par-four ninth she drove into the water and made double-bogey, but she still held the lead over Lin who also found water on the way to a triple-bogey.
One shot behind back Zhang going to the 17th, Yang made bogey at the par-three and then disaster struck at 18. From 65 yards out on the fairway, she twice hit approach shots into the water in front of the green and walked away with an eight.