Zhangjiagang Island, China: Zhao Zhimeng claimed her maiden win at the Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Challenge. The Shanxi native went wire-to-wire for a four-shot victory in Jiangsu Province. 

The third-year pro closed with a final round two-under 70 for a 54-hole score of six-under 210 at Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Golf Club, sculpted by Nelson & Haworth Golf Course Architects, an Associate Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

Top amateur Zeng Liqi continued to impress alongside the China LPGA Tour pros. The 15-year-old Jiangxi native carded a 71 for her second runner-up finish in as many weeks. 

Zhang Yue (70) was a distant third at six shots back on even-par, one stroke ahead of amateur Zhang Yahui (73). Shi Yuli (73), Li Dongmei (73) and amateur Ji Yuai (75) were equal fifth at nine shots off the pace. 

Zhao, runner-up at last month’s Guowei Centre Plaza Zhuhai Challenge, started the third round with a three-shot lead. After a birdie-two at the second to get to five-under, the 19-year-old carded consecutive bogeys starting at the fourth hole. She then rebounded strongly with four birdies over the next eight holes before closing with a bogey six at the last. 

“I’m very happy to have won my first professional trophy. I turned pro three years ago and this championship is an affirmation of all the hard work I have put in,” said Zhao, who earned RMB75,000 for the win. 

“I was just thinking about how to play a good game in bad weather. I wasn’t thinking about how to extend my lead, more so about how to keep the championship. The birdie at the seventh hole was key to the final round.

“Zeng put her ball closer but I persevered. I was feeling pressure after two straight bogeys, but that birdie made me believe that I could win.” 

Zeng, who lost in a play-off last week, dropped a shot at the par-five fifth and then carded birdies at 10 and 16 for her sixth top-10 finish against pro fields this year. 

“Today, the number of birdies is so few. I feel I have missed some opportunities, which is regrettable,” lamented the Nanchang native, who this week improved to 62nd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. 

“I have played a lot of China LPGA events this year and learned a lot from the experience. The plan now is to undertake some intensive training in preparation for next year’s Asian Games (in Hangzhou) and then turn pro.”

Notable scores included China LPGA Tour Order of Merit leader Liu Wenbo (73) in equal 11th and Sui Xiang 22nd after closing with a 73. 

The tournament was the last of the China LPGA Tour season in a year that has seen numerous events cancelled or postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.