Taiwanese amateur Cheng Ssu-Chia (程思嘉) becomes the first player in TLPGA history that holds two titles or more as an amateur. She carded a 3-under 69 in the final round of Fubon Ladies Open to capture her second victory in three months.
Cheng had five birdies and two bogeys and finished with a 4-under 212, beating Lu Ya-Huei (呂雅惠) by two shots.
“I wasn’t really thinking about winning,” added Cheng. “I feel like I’ve matured a lot after these days.” Cheng admits she had that “winning pressure” after her last win in July’s Chung Cheng Ladies Open, but she’s happy that in this week she’s finally thrown it behind her.
“I want to thank again Miss Angie Tsai (蔡麗香) and Tseng (Hsiu-Feng,曾秀鳳), and also everyone in every course who had given me great advice.”
Cheng said she wouldn’t rush to a professional career, by plan there are still a plenty two years before she would consider turning pro and her ultimate dream was always playing on the LPGA Tour.
Heading into today with a one-shot lead, Cheng scored four birdies and was set back by only one bogey on the front nine to inflate it to 6-shot, but a string of stunning performances from Lu saw her soaring back into contention. Cheng was leading by just one stroke when she went onto the 16th tee.
It was not until she drained a 20-foot putt on that one did she pretty much secure the outcome.
Lu fired a low-round 66, and although the victory went to Cheng, she took away the winner prize of NT$1 million, replacing Liu Yi-Chen (Babe) (劉依貞) to stand on top of the 2013 TLPGA Money List.
“Very exciting to see another young talent emerge,” said the 38-year-old Lu, who already received a wildcard into the Sunrise LPGA Taiwan Championship which will be held next month. “She has a mentality beyond her age and sure a great future ahead.”
Defending Champ Phoebe Yao (姚宣榆) had a 71 and finished with even-par 216 to be alone at fifth. The result has taken Yao to the second place on the Money List, which means, as No.1 Lu won her wildcard in the previous week, she automatically earns the chance into the LPGA event that will go into its third year.
But Yao decided to deny the wildcard and chose to play in the same week in Japan for her 2014 membership. No.3 Liu Yi-Chen (Babe) takes the final wildcard slot.
Sung-Hyun Park of Korea was another to impress with a 66 and finished in a tie for third with Thailand’s Nontaya Srisawang at 215. |