Jiangsu, China: Tan Lingling demonstrated the importance of never giving up on your dreams as the 40-year-old Shandong native captured her first pro win by one stroke at the Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Challenge. 

Going into the final round with a one-stroke lead, Tan held off her challengers at Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Golf Club, carding a closing two-under 70 at the China LPGA Tour event for a 54-hole score of five-under 211. The victory was worth RMB75,000. 

Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Golf Club is a 6,372-yard, par-72 layout designed by Nelson & Haworth Golf Course Architects, an Associate Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation. 

“I’ve played golf for a long time. Unexpectedly, I get my first win before I am about to retire. There are no regrets anymore,” said Tan, who turned pro in 2012 after working as a golf coach.

“I don’t think I have the edge compared with the young generation, from stamina and technical aspects. But my strength lies in my mentality.” 

Chinese veteran Sui Xiang (70) finished runner-up, while Thailand’s Ornnicha Konsunthea (70) was third at three shots back. Pan Yanhong, the first-round leader, closed with a 73 to sit equal fourth with Wang Xinying (70) and Chinese Taipei’s Huang Ching (72) one shot further back. 

Wu Tianqi was the top amateur as the teenager closed with a two-over 74 to finish equal 11th, eight strokes off the winning score. 

“I made only one bogey today. At hole 12, I played well the past two days. But today I hit short and chipped a little bit hard, then made two putts,” said Tan who was equal sixth at the CTBC Ladies Classic in September.  

“My birdies today came after good approach shots. I didn’t look at other players’ scores and my good friends kept me company all the time. I just played by my strategy,” she added.

Zeng Liqi closed with a 76 to finish equal 18th. The defending champion could never mount a challenge in her title defence after returning from America last month where she advanced to the final stage of the US LPGA Tour qualifying school.

Thai Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong, the CLPGA Tour Order of Merit leader, closed with a 78 to finish equal 27th.