In her professional debut, Tseng Tsai-Ching (曾彩晴) cruised to her first victory at the SAMPO Ladies Open. She carded a 3-under 69 to record a 54-hole total of 4-under 212 on Friday.

Tseng’s final total of 212 was five shots better than a group of three in equal second. Ornnicha Konsunthea of Thailand, who registered a low-round, bogey-free 66, wrapped up the week at 217 to sit in a tie for second with defending champion, Taiwanese Kiwi Juliana Hung (洪玉霖) and Taiwan’s Chang Ya-Chun (張雅淳)

Current TLPGA Tour no.1 on the 2022 Money List, Lee Hsin (李欣) used a final-round 70 to finish in equal fifth with Thai player Nanthikarn Raksachat.

Tseng, a professional rookie who just graduated from the University of Tulsa, teed up the day with a mere one-shot advantage but quickly expanded the lead to four at the turn thanks to birdies on no.2, no.5, and no.9. Last year’s winner Hung got off to a birdie-birdie start and faded with a bogey-bogey setback on the 4th and 5th.

“I think I did well to hold on to the gameplan; just put the ball on the fairway and greens as much as possible,” said Tseng, who actually needed a special sponsor exempt from the Nan Yi Golf Club to be in this week. “I tried to keep my focus even though I knew I held some cushion. Only after I made it on the fairway on 14 I started to feel more relaxed because there were basically no more water threats in the rest of the holes.” Tseng’s only blemish was on the par-3 13th. Despite not making any move forward after an 11th hole birdie, she closed the tournament with a comfortable five-stroke win.

Tears fell from Tseng’s face in her winner’s speech. “Thanks again to Nan Yi Club for giving me the chance, and Hsin Yi Club for giving me such a great place to train at. Thank you my dear team, mom and dad, and of course all the staffs and sponsors for putting this great event together!”

Chang Ya-Chun walked alongside Tseng in today’s final-round, praising her playing partner for her composure. “She was too good today, especially in the challenging layout Nan Yi gives us. Yeah, maybe a few more putts could have gone in, but I didn’t feel I played badly. Tseng was so solid,” Chang didn’t hesitate to express her compliment. She closed the round with a 72, finishing in the three-way tie for second.

Huang Ching (黃靖), carrying a tight leg in most part of the day, carded a 77 to drop into a tie for eighth on 221.

Former world no.1 Yani Tseng (曾雅妮), who returned from a hip surgery, completed the round with a 76 firing five birdies and ending up in a tie for 40th on 232. “All feels pretty new to me after the injury and surgery. It’s a learning process. I’m trying to get along with a new body. I saw improvement with each day, which was a great takeaway from this week,” said Tseng. “Now I’m going back for more training and rehab. Hopefully I’ll come back stronger next time.”

The 18-hole “Xiu Ju Cup” Senior Ladies Professional Tournament was underway concurrently on Friday. Lu Ya-Huei (呂雅惠) (71) and Yueh-Chyn Huang (黃玥珡) (78) came out on top from the Seniors and the Legends respectively.