Singapore: China’s Sui Xiang fended off a spirited challenge from Florence Yvon Bisera of the Philippines to win the third edition of the Moutai Singapore Ladies Masters by one shot.

Sui endured some testing moments en route to a final round one-over-par 73 over the Masters Course at Laguna National Golf Resort Club.

But her 54-hole aggregate of seven-under-par 209 was good enough to secure a third CLPG Tour title for the 27-year-old.

Reflecting on her success, Sui said: “This is a significant win for me, especially as I have enjoyed playing in Singapore but have not been able to get over the line here before.

“I hit a wayward shot that led to a bogey on 17. When I stepped onto the tee at 18, I just told myself to stay focused and avoid any more mistakes. I’m just glad everything worked out in the end. This is a win I will savour for a long time.”

The battle for top honours went down to the final three holes. Playing in the penultimate group ahead of Sui, Bisera reduced the deficit to one shot with a birdie on the 16th hole. However, she dropped a stroke on the par-three 17th, only for Sui to also bogey the same hole after her tee-shot plugged under the lip of a greenside bunker from where she did well to extricate herself.

After closing with a par for a round of 70 that set the clubhouse target at six-under 21, the Filipina could only watch from the sidelines to see whether the championship would be extended to a play-off.

Under extreme pressure, Sui split the fairway with her drive and then struck her approach 25 feet left of the flag. Her birdie attempt rolled three feet past the cup but she made no mistake with the return effort to seal the deal.

Despite finishing runner-up, CLPG Tour rookie Bisera was in upbeat mood. “I tried my best, but it was not enough to get across the line. Still, this finish has given me a lot of confidence. I know I can compete at this level, and I will keep improving for the rest of the season,” said the 24-year-old.

Canadian amateur Shauna Liu (71) shared third place with Indonesian Holly Victoria Halim (71), while Thais Kan Bunnabodee (72) and Kultida Pramphun (75) ended the week tied for fifth, together with Korean amateur Choi Seo-hyeon (68).

Pang Runzhi, the defending champion, ended joint ninth on two-under 214, while Amanda Tan won the award for the leading Singaporean, finishing tied for 30th on four-over 220.

The Moutai Singapore Ladies Masters, now in its third edition and title-sponsored by Moutai, featured an international field of 108 players and a prize purse of US$120,000, an increase from previous years.

*Laguna National Golf Resort Club is a member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.