Taipei, Taiwan: Benefitting from adopting a positive attitude, Chinese-Taipei’s Hsu Wei-ling outlasted fellow islander Teresa Lu to win the CTBC Ladies Open by one stroke.
Hsu closed with an even-par 72 over the Orient (Taipei) Golf and Country Club layout to finish on two-under 214. The victory at the China LPGA Tour-Taiwan LPGA Tour co-sanctioned event was worth NT$1 million (about US$33,409).
With a round featuring four birdies, one bogey and a double-bogey, overnight leader Hsu appeared to be out of contention when Lu, the world number 31 and highest-ranked player in the field, got to four-under through 14 holes for a two-stroke lead.
However, the Japan LPGA Tour star then stumbled with three bogeys over the last four holes for a 72 as Hsu shot par golf over the same stretch to seal the win.
Hsu, who played full-time on the US LPGA Tour this past season, said she had been waiting for five years to get her first win at home.
“One word to describe my mood now is ‘enjoyable’,” said the 22-year-old, a two-time winner on the Symetra Tour. “My good result is because of my good attitude. I focused on my shots and I just don’t want to leave any regrets.”
Lu, a four-time winner in Japan this season, completed her meltdown went she out of bounds with her drive at the final hole. Following a one-shot penalty, her approach found a bunker. She then chipped out and walked away with a bogey-six. In defeat, she had nothing but praise for playing partner Hsu.
“Three years ago at the US Open we were in the same group on the practice day. Her distance was not far and not stable enough but now she has really made great progress,” said Lu.
Chinese Taipei’s Yu Pei-lin (70) was three strokes back in third. Pan Yanhong (74) was the top mainland Chinese player in equal fourth, tied with Chinese Taipei amateurs Hou Yu-sang (70), Hou Yu-chiang (70) and Lin Tze-han (68) and professionals Lee Min (71) and Tsai Pei-ying (72), four shots off the pace.