Singapore: Park Ji-young captured her fifth Korean LPGA Tour title after a strong opening 36-hole display at Tanah Merah Country Club’s Tampines Course.

Due to heavy rain, the third round was cancelled and the tournament result was based on the scores after 36 holes.

With rounds of 66 and 67 for a two-day aggregate of 11-under-par 133, Park finished one stroke ahead of her fellow Koreans Hong Jung-min, Lee So-young and Park Hyun-kyung.

Only 21 out of 67 players scheduled to tee off the final round were out on the course when play was first halted at 8.50 am.

With the weather not letting up after a couple of hours, organisers decided that the result would be decided on 36-hole scores.

“It feels very special indeed to be winning a tournament for the first time in 36 holes,” said Park Ji-young after cashing in a cool S$198,000 for her feat.

She added: “I did accomplish some come-from-behind victories previously, but never once from a shortened tournament, so it’s really different. A win is always fulfilling regardless of how it’s attained.

“I’m really happy and proud to be the inaugural winner of the Hana Financial Group Singapore Women’s Open. I’ve put in a lot of effort to improve my game and I’m so glad that it paid off this week.”

Shannon Tan made the host country proud by emerging as the best-placed amateur, finishing tied for 53rd on one-under-par 143.

The Singaporean was the only one among the seven amateurs in the fray to make the cut after coming back strongly with a 67 on the second day.

“This prize means a lot to me because this is the first time I’ve made the cut at a professional event,” said Tan after receiving the trophy. “I can’t ask for a better place to accomplish it than in our very own national Open.”

Tanah Merah Country Club is a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.