Golfer Kusuma strikes form in final round to end title drought
Kusuma Meechai ended her two-year title drought with a two-stroke victory over defending champion Arpichaya Yubol after the final round of circuit seven of the Bt1-million Singha-SAT Thai LPGA Championship at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin on Friday.
The 24-year-old Prachin Buri province native enjoyed a formidable start with an opening birdie followed by an eagle to shoot a 67 for a three-day total of nine under-par-207 on the par-72 6,545-yard course. She beat last year’s Thai LPGA No 1 Arpichaya, who too signed off with a 67 in the final round for a total seven-under-par 209.
“I started well when I hit a birdie in the first hole and then hit an eagle on the second,” said Kusuma, who turned pro in 2012. “I hit good shots and putted really well. The overall score was okay, but I think I should have hit a lower score. I made some mistakes that I shouldn’t have.”
Kusuma’s last victory was in 2017 when she won the Singha All Thailand Tour in Khon Kaen.
Friday's win made her Bt142,500 richer.
“I haven’t won a tournament in four years, managing only second and third-place finishes here and there. It’s a relief to get my hands on a trophy after a long time,” added Kusuma, whose plan is to concentrate on the China LPGA Tour and Thai LPGA Asian Tour events.
First-round leader Arpichaya bounced back from a second-round 76 to sit two shots behind the winner. She earned Bt96,285 for her runner-up finish, while Ploychompoo Wilairungrueng, with a 67, settled for third with a total of 210.
The eighth circuit of the Thai LPGA Tour will be held at the Water Mill Golf and Resort in Nakhon Nayok province from August 7-9.
