Thai Porani wins again
Thailand's Porani Chutichai captured her third title of the China LPGA Tour season yesterday when she fired a final round 69 for a two-shot victory at the US$50,000 Wuhan Challenge in Hubei Province.
The victory set a new Chinese LPGA Tour record for most wins in a season.
"Unbelievable. This is my third win in China this year. It's unexpected," Porani said.
"Entering the final round, I thought about the win. I thought it could be possible even when I was three strokes behind. I played great and the approach shots were good today. My caddie is the best I had in the last few weeks. Last week in Wenzhou, the caddie didn't know about golf."
Starting the day three strokes off the lead, Porani, winner of the Yangzhou Challenge and the Beijing Renji Challenge earlier this year, carded six birdies against three bogeys over the Orient Wuhan layout to post a 54-hole score of two-under 214, the only player in the field to break par.
The victory was worth US$7,500 for the 25-year-old Chiang Rai native and solidified her lead atop the CLPGA Tour Order of Merit.
China's Yan Pan Pan (73) and Huang Mei Hao (71) were equal runner-up, while compatriot Shen Yan Hua (71) was fourth, three shots off the pace. Thailand's Tanaporn Kongkiakrai (75) was one shot further back in fifth place.
