Shi Yuting with the spoils of victory.
Beijing, China:
Shi Yuting produced a memorable birdie barrage to claim victory in the China LPGA Tour’s Le Coq Sportif Beijing Ladies Classic.
The Beijing teenager, who has spent the first half of the year playing in her rookie season on the Japan LPGA Tour, closed with nine birdies over the final 12 holes at the Beijing Orient Pearl Country Club. It was her second 65 of the week and gave her a three-day aggregate score of 16-under 200 and a two-stroke success. Shi’s second China LPGA Tour victory earned her RMB120,000.
Supamas Sangchan was runner-up after the Thai shot a 64, while overnight leader
Na Hee-wan of South Korea carded a 70 to finish third, four shots behind Shi.
Thai
Narisara Kerdrit (72), who matched the tournament record for low score with a nine-under 63 in the first round, was equal fourth on 208, tied with the Chinese trio of
Chen Liqin (68),
Liu Ruixin (69) and
Liu Yan (71).
One stroke off the lead at the start of the final round, Shi fell further behind when playing partner Na birdied the first hole. After three holes she trailed by three, following back-to-back bogeys.
“I am not a long hitter. I just accepted those two early bogeys because one is a long par-four and another is a long par-three,” said 19-year-old Shi, who last week successfully defended her China National Team individual title in Heibei, leading the Beijing Women’s Team to the team title.
Shi started her birdie blitz at the seventh hole. She then reeled off five birdies in a row from the 12th. “I’m really excited with two wins over two weeks in China. I didn’t treat them differently. Both are important. This is my sponsor’s event and my first China LPGA Tour event this season. I am the happiest girl now.”
Chinese teenager
Ji Yifan (70) was the top amateur at five-under par.
