Shanghai, China: China LPGA Tour Order of Merit leader Liu Wenbo held off a determined challenge from teenage amateur Zeng Liqi to win the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Championship.

Liu, a 20-year-old Beijing pro, sank a 10-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off at Lanhai International Golf Club on Chongming Island.

Talented 15-year-old Zeng had a similar length putt for a matching birdie only for her attempt stay above ground. For Zeng, 79th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, it was her fifth top-10 finish against pro fields this year.

Liu, who began the fourth round with a four-stroke lead, closed with a one-under 71 for a 72-hole aggregate of eight-under 280.

After beginning her round with an opening-hole bogey, Zeng played beautifully in calm conditions over the Yangtze Dune layout, snaring six birdies to sign for a 67 which forced extra time.

Liu said: “It was a tough battle. My nerves were really tested. This was the hardest-earned win I have experienced, much harder than my first win on Tour as an amateur. 

“I thought I could win if I had even-par today. But I knew this could happen because I played a lot of rounds with Zeng this year. She’s a good putter, Today, she did a good job. I felt a little bit of despair when she kept making birdies around the turn.” 

Sui Xiang, the first-round leader, fired a 71 and ended six shots off the pace in third, one stroke ahead of Shi Yuli (71) who posted her best finish as a pro. Zhang Yue (68) was fifth on even-par 288, two strokes ahead of evergreen Pan Yanhong (67), winner of last week’s Guowei Centre Plaza Zhuhai Challenge.

For her third China LPGA Tour title, her second as a pro, Liu earned RMB200,000 and solidified her position atop the Order of Merit standings.