Park’s hot putter DENIES Ariya  

SOUTH KOREA’S Park In-bee produced a putting masterclass to win the LPGA’s Women’s Champions 

tournament yesterday after overnight leader Michelle Wie blew her chances when she four-putted 

for double bogey.

Park shot a superb final round of eight-under 64 to finish at 19-under 269 and capture her first title since her gold medal at last year’s Rio Olympics.

Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand finished second at 18-under after closing with a 66 while rising South 

Korean star Park Sung-hyun was third on 16-under after a final-round 

68.

Wie led by two strokes after birdieing the third and fourth holes but lost her place at the top of the 

leaderboard when she four-putted from within 12 feet for a double-bogey 7 on the par-5th.

The American closed with a 72 to finish tied for fourth at 14-under alongside Canada’s Brooke 

Henderson (66) and last year’s winner Jang Ha-na (69).

The world No 1 Lydia Ko also shot 72 in her last round to end up in joint ninth.

Park was playing just her second tournament after taking a six-month break to recover from a thumb 

injury. But she showed no signs of rustiness as she reeled off nine birdies in 13 holes between the 5th 

and 17th holes to open up a decisive gap over a star-studded field featuring 19 of the world’s top 20 players.

The seven-time major winner knocked in an astonishing sequence of long putts, including one from 

almost 30 feet on the 17th that proved decisive, to capture her 27th professional title, her 18th on the 

LPGA Tour and her second in Singapore.

She made her only bogey of the day on the 18th when she hit her approach into a greenside bunker, 

but still managed to break the course record at the new Tanjong layout at the Sentosa Golf Club.

“My putting was amazing today,” Park said. “Yesterday I was really disappointed with my putter. I couldn’t make any putts and obviously I made up for it today.

“Pretty much everything I looked at wanted to drop in.

“In the middle of the round I felt like I could make it anywhere from the green. But it was a little bit of luck as well. I didn’t expect to play this well after a few months break. Last week I was still rusty but this week I felt I have my game back.”

Ariya, the world No 2 and reigning British Women’s Open champion, was level with Park after 10 holes 

but could not match the South Korean’s hot run on the back nine.

“I had so much fun playing with In-bee. She’s awesome. She’s the best player,” said Ariya.

“I learnt a lot from her. She’s very calm. I feel like she makes every putt. I don’t think she missed one today.”

Park, playing in the penultimate group with Ariya and Jang, had to endure a longer than expected wait 

before receiving her winner’s trophy when play was halted just moments after she finished her round.

Organisers ordered play to be stopped because of lightning in the area, with just the final grouping of 

Sung, Wie and Ko still on the course but out of contention.

Moriya Jutanugarn fired her lowest round of the week - a 67 - to finish tied 12th for 11-under 277.

“I hit close to the pins several times and made birdies. My goal was to shoot under-par score ever day 

and I achieved it, except on Friday,” said the Thai No 3.

“If I can play solid like this, I will have some pretty good results in my next tournament in Arizona,” she 

added.

Pornanong Phatlum finished with a 68 for 8-under 280 to take tied 21st position.

“I had a good front nine, hitting five under with an eagle. But I missed many easy putts at the back. But 

overall it was a good day as I hit four-under,” said the 27-year-old.

“I had 137 yards to the flag. I didn’t even see the flag when I hit my second shot but I knew it went to a 

good position. Then I heard the fans roar and realised it was an eagle,” said Pornanong, who will come back to Thailand for a few days before flying to Arizona to play her next tournament.