Haikou, China: Li Shuying captured the CLPG Tour Championship in memorable fashion, carding an albatross-two at the par-five fourth hole on her way to a four-stroke victory on Hainan Island.

Starting the day four strokes behind overnight leader Ji Yuai (72), Li closed with an eight-under 64 on The Vintage Course at Mission Hills Resort Haikou for a 54-hole score of nine-under 207. Her maiden China LPGA Tour title was worth RMB120,000.

Ji finished runner-up to move to the top of the Order of Merit ahead of Pang Runzhi (66) after closing with an even-par round.

Zhou Shiyuan, the 14-year-old who was aiming to win her third straight tournament against a pro field, shot 69 to finish equal third, tied with fellow amateur Xu Ying (71).

Playing one group ahead of the leading flight, Li came out firing with a birdie three at the first hole to get to two-under. At the 487-yard fourth, the 20-year-old found the cup with a hybrid from 210 yards out for only the fourth albatross in Tour history – the first since the 2023 Women’s China Open when Fang Xinyuan accomplished the feat.

“I saw the ball land five yards to the right of the pin, bounce and disappear. But I didn’t have a clear view. Cai Danlin (76) in the same group saw it and told me. It’s my first time. I felt so happy. I have had two hole-in-ones, but an albatross is rarer,” said Li, who last month won on the Dream Tour, the development circuit of the Korean LPGA Tour. Next year she will play full-time on the KLPGA Tour.

Jilin Province native Li added six more birdies, including three consecutively from the 12th hole, alongside two bogeys.

“At that time (of the albatross), I saw the leaderboard and knew I had a good chance. But I lost a lot of shots on the back nine yesterday. Even with a birdie at the 10th hole, I didn’t feel safe. Ji Yuai is a talented player and could have had a couple of eagles. I didn’t feel safe until I saw that my second shot was on the 18th green.

“I am a KLPGA member and play regularly over there. I can’t play often in China, so I was eager for a win.”

Ji, who was aiming for her third victory of the year, got off to a poor start with four bogeys against a solitary birdie over the front nine. She then settled down to card three birdies over the back nine.

“Li Shuying is a good friend. I am not sad since she is a winner with a 64 in the final round. I don’t feel disappointed, as long as I try my best. Today was such a day. Li played better than me. I felt happy for her,” said the 19-year-old from Dalian who earned RMB72,000 for finishing runner-up.

Ji now has RMB364,846 in earnings this season to lead the Order of Merit, narrowly ahead of Pang (RMB357,955). Next month’s season finale, the Women’s China Open in Xiamen, will decide who wins the money list.

“I felt better with the fact that I surpassed Pang on the money list. One of my goals is the Order of Merit,” said Ji, a winner in Tianjin and Beijing this season.

After opening with a seven-over 79 on Thursday, Pang finished strongly with a six-under round that included an eagle three at the fourth hole, six birdies and two bogeys to sit equal fifth with Sui Xiang (75).

“The previous two days were not that great, but today my game was much better. The wind was lighter, which made it much easier to play,” said Pang, a 17-year-old from Tianjin, winner of the Singapore Ladies Masters.

“I really hope to win the money list. I’ll try my best to get it. But honestly, I’ve already achieved my goal for this year. My goal was to win a title and I’ve done that, so I’m already very happy.”

Zhou, who was never in contention this week after starting with a 75 in windy conditions, also finished strongly. Her round featured five birdies, including three consecutively from the third hole, and two bogeys.

“I just went for it. I played without any thoughts. I did what I wanted to do,” said the teenager, the low amateur for three consecutive tournaments.