Malaysian Ainil Johani Abu Bakar tried to keep the crowd in suspense as she bogeyed the last two holes in the final round of the 2013 KENDA Tires TLPGA Open, but she was simply too solid for the rest of the tournament. The 23-year-old hit a final-round 2-over 74, which was just enough to capture her first career victory and NT$600,000 prize money.

“I felt confident all day because with yesterday’s play, I know I if I can stay focused, I get a good chance for this win,” said Abu Bakar. “Huge relief when finished my last hole, especially when you know you just won a tournament!”

Abu Bakar shot a 4-under 212 for the tournament, beating Liu Yi-Chen (Babe) (劉依貞) of Taiwan by 2 strokes. Liu sank a birdie putt on the par-3 18th, which was too late to force a play-off, but just enough to edge Korean Ye Na Chung, and first-round leader, compatriot Lin Tzu-Chi (林子麒), to win her the solo runner-up prize of NT$300,000.

Abu Bakar and Liu entered the day with just one shot difference, but Liu came up clearly the more tensed up of the two, suffering a bogey in the first hole, and another two on holes seven and eight. Abu Bakar carried already a four shot lead into the back nine, and the win seemed destined.

A devastated Liu burst into tears and cried on her mother’s shoulder on her way back to the clubhouse for the prize ceremony. “I know I could play a lot better. It feels frustrated when she (Abu Bakar) actually opened a door but I just wasn’t able to capitalize on the chances she gave,” said Liu. “I’ll have to look on the bright side and another great lesson learnt!”

Started the day in a tie for 30th, former LPGA player and KENDA Rubber star Teresa Lu (盧曉晴) parred her first 17 holes before a long-anticipated birdie on the final hole sent her back to a satisfactory T15 finish with final score of 224. Chen Min-Jou (陳敏柔) of Taiwan sits in a tie with Lu for 15th, which was the top finish among the amateurs in the 2013 KENDA Tires TLPGA Open.