Haikou, China: Michelle Zhang Yunxuan gave herself a belated birthday present when the rookie pro captured the CGA Ladies Championship for her maiden win. 

Playing on Sandbelt Trails at Mission Hills Resort Hainan, the US-based Chinese, who celebrated her 19th birthday last Tuesday, closed with a four-under 68 for a 54-hole score of 11-under 205 at the China LPGA Tour event.

Zhang, whose commanding six-stroke triumph was worth RMB120,000, is the first player to win on her CLPGA Tour debut since Yang Taoli achieved the feat in 2009. 

“I am excited to capture my maiden win in my China LPGA debut. It’s a perfect outcome,” said the Dallas-based Zhang, a Shenzhen native who moved to the United States with her family when she was aged 13.

“I watched the leaderboard all the time. I knew that my partners played very well out of the gate. I felt stressed but didn’t panic,” said Zhang.

Chinese Taipei’s Chen Yu-ju (72) finished runner-up, one stroke ahead of Chinese veteran Pan Yanhong (67).

China amateurs Ren Yijia (72) and Cao Xinyu (73) finished equal fourth on 215 alongside Thai professionals Saraporn Chamchoi (71) and Wannasiri Sirisampant (71).

Zhang, who played a year of college golf at Southern Methodist University before turning pro, started the day with a two-stroke lead and made her first birdie of the final round at the 372-yard seventh where her approach shot came to rest three feet from the pin. 

After three-putting the 11th for bogey, she made an eagle-two at the 13th, holing her approach shot from 125 yards. Zhang closed out her round with further birdies at 16 and 18.

“The 13th hole was the turning point where I had a hole-out eagle. I played solidly with my irons but made nothing for a while. I told myself that I needed to hit a lot closer. I didn’t expect that I can hole out from the fairway. I believed that this win is mine after that eagle.” 

Zhang confirmed she would play in the season-ending Women’s China Open starting December 12 in Xiamen. “I want another successful finish. After that I would celebrate and not touch my clubs for three days.” 

Ren was the tournament’s low amateur. Despite finishing with the same one-under score as Cao, the 14-year-old Ren received the honour as her final-round score was better.  

“It’s a pleasant surprise for me. It’s my first time to have an under-par score for 54 holes on the Tour. It’s a breakthrough,” said the Dalian teenager. “I played against Cao in the same group. The final hole was very fierce competition. I knew I needed a birdie and I did it. Cao missed her par putt after hitting into the water.”