Xiamen, China: Lee So-lar posted a closing 70 to win the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Orient Masters by two strokes and record her maiden China LPGA Tour title.
Clinging to a one-shot lead going into the final round at Fujian Province’s Orient Xiamen Golf and Country Club, Korean Lee overcame a bogey-bogey start to finish on seven-under 209. The victory was worth RMB120,000.
Chinese Taipei’s Huang Ching was runner-up after a 69, while Thai Renuka Suksuksont (72) and Korean Na Hee-won (70) ended equal third on 212.
China’s Yin Ruoning, the first-round leader, was the top amateur on 213. The 16-year-old Shanghai native closed with a 72 to finish equal fifth.
With playing partner Renuka making birdie at the first hole, Lee quickly dropped out of the lead and fell two behind the Thai after a second successive bogey.
After making par at the third, Lee pulled her game together with a magnificent stretch that saw her register five birdies over the next seven holes to get to eight-under. She then played par golf from holes 11 to 17 before a bogey-five at the last.
“I felt nervous and that made me miss (par) the first two holes. After a quick adjustment I was able to calm down and focus on my game,” said Lee, a 27-year-old Seoul-area native who is playing on the China LPGA Tour for a third year. “I made some long putts and my iron play was solid and that gave me the confidence to win.”