Hitachi Ladies Classic final round (Jan.7) at Orient Golf & Country Club, total prize money NTD 10million. Has set the history record playoff 4 holes in the dark to determine the winner, at last Min LEE defeated Pornanong PHATLUM and Babe LIU by one chip shot and one putt against one chip shot and two putts. Min LEE has won over NTD 2.5 million; Babe LIU and Pornanong shared the second place and NTD 900 thousand each.

For over 9 years, this was the third time having playoff but the most holes to determine the winner; it was also the latest competition ever which held to 6:05pm under the lighting equipment in the course. The last playoff was ever played from outside the green and competes over players chipping and putting skills.

In 2009, there was 3 players having two playoffs and won by Kuniko Maeda from Japan. In 2010, Miki Saiki from Japan defeated Taiwan player Amy HUNG by one playoff. This year was the third time having playoffs in the history of this tournament, which was also Min LEE’s second title in TLPGA Tour.

16-year-old amateur Kuan-Yu LIN catches up to win the amateur champion by 1-over-par 217.

Two rounds co-leader Min LEE played 70 today, Babe LIU and PHATLUM played 68, three players grabbed a share for first place by 11-under-par 205; according to the committee, players should play-off at hole 18 to determine the winner.

First playoff, three players tied by PAR; second playoff, the course turned on the lighting equipment to support the game, but again they tied by PAR; third playoff the sky was completed dark, but players still played PAR under the lighting support. Phatlum has the closest chance to win the third playoff by 6-foot putt, but she missed it.

Due to the course was dark, the chief of referee Tedo LIU has seek players consent to playoff the forth time from 45 yards to the pin, the less stroke played will be the winner.

During last playoff, Babe and Phatlum both chipped to the hole and remain 25-foot with 2 putts; Min LEE chipped over the hole remain 7-foot and only made 1 putt to win the hole, LEE shed the joy of tear on the green after winning the game.

In the other hand, Phoebe YAO made 68 today won the 4th place with 10-under-par 206; Yu-Ju CHEN won the 5th place by 207.

Wei-Ling HSU made 68 and shared the 6th place by 208 with Korean player Ye-Nah HWANG. Szu-Han CHEN had the lowest score of the day 67, shared 8th place by 209 with Japanese player Hiroko AZUMA.

Yani TSENG wasn’t satisfied with her performance today, made 72 today and ended up 25th by 214.

In the interview after the game, Min LEE said the key to success was remain normal, since she knew she was the leader and it’s not easy to stay as leader, even winning among all great players. She said her putts weren’t good today and feeling nervous while the game started, so she tried to divert her attention. “Until we playoff to the sky was dark, I was quite familiar with the zone since I always played till dawn when I was amateur, therefore I agree to continue the playoff.” Said LEE.

During the last playoff, the format adjusted to 45 yards chipping and LEE only chipped the ball by instinct. Luckily chipping as last player, she could refer the distance from two other players.

She said this win had given her a great start of the year, hope to perform better on LPGA Tour this year and let more and more people know Min LEE is from Taiwan not Korea. She hopes to win a title at LPGA Tour this year, more important to find the best way to enjoy the whole season.

The Chairman of Orient Golf & Country Club Fang-Jen Pan awarded three players Min LEE, Babe LIU and Phatlum a one-year membership.

Taiwan Hitachi CEO Hidenori Sayama on the award ceremony still focuses on the enterprise concept of “Cherish Taiwan, deep plowing in Taiwan”, at the angle of charity to sponsor international golf tournament, donate tournament tickets revenue to Charity Groups.

Taiwan Hitachi has donated over NTD 36million in the last 8 years, and this year has broken the highest amount with over NTD 6,210,900. Spectators numbers has also reached the highest record 8053 people.

Taiwan Hitachi represented Taiwan Hitachi Multi air-condition company CEO Lee Zheng Ping donated to 9 charity groups on the award ceremony, including: Chou Ta-Kuan Foundation, Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, Sound Home, Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation, Children Are Us Foundation, Genesis Social Welfare Foundation, Taiwan Motor Neuron Disease Association, Eden Social Welfare Foundation. And the Dean of Genesis Social Welfare Taipei Branch Zhang Chia Chi represented all the welfare group to receive the donation.