PATTAYA - Amy Yang ran away with her second Honda LPGA Thailand title in three years after a marathon weekend of golf ended with a new tournament record at Siam Country Club Old Course on Sunday.
Yang, who becomes the second two-time winner of the event after Taiwan's Tseng Yani (2011 and 2012), concluded with a birdie on the 18th hole to finish on four-under 68, which gave her the lowest tournament total ever of 22-under 266.
The Florida-based Yang, who won her first Pattaya title in 2015, beat the previous mark set by Norway's Suzann Pettersen in 2007 and Japan's Ai Miyazato in 2010 by one stroke.
So dominant was Yang in the tournament that her nearest rival, compatriot Ryu So-Yeon, finished five strokes adrift. Kim Sei-Young, also from South Korea, was two shots further behind in third place. All three of them shot matching 68s in the final round.
It was Yang's third LPGA Tour title and seventh overall.
Yang took a share of first round lead with home favourite Ariya Jutanugarn and never relinquished her position at the top throughout the weather-disrupted event, which saw Friday and Saturday's rounds held up by heavy rainstorms and lightning, causing organisers to reschedule.
To the relief of everyone, the weather cleared up nicely yesterday and the 28 players who had been unable to complete their third round managed to do so before the no-cut field of 70 players completed the final round later in the day.
Yang was forced to play 31 holes on Saturday and finish up her five remaining third round holes early yesterday morning.
Yang, who will turn 28 in July, admitted it was a difficult week for her and all the players but was beyond happy she was able to tough it out.
"I'm beyond happy. It wasn't easy with rain delays and waking up at 4am two days in a row," said Yang. "But I stayed really patient out there, did my best and I'm very happy to win the tournament."
Yang has been remarkable in Thailand over the last three seasons and has yet to card an over-par round. Her one-under 71 during the third round in 2015 is her highest score.
"It's always nice to be back here playing. I love this place. I love people here. And with my parents, spending time with them here, it's just great," she added.
Defending champion Lexi Thompson shot a five-under 67 to tie for lowest round of the day and finished joint fourth on 13-under 275 alongside fellow American Danielle Kang (68) and Chun In-Gee (68) of South Korea.
A further stroke back on 12 under was Moriya Jutanugarn, who was the best Thai performer. The 22-year-old ended with a one-under 71 for 276 total.
"I'm very happy with my performance this week," said Moriya. "I'm really happy that I can perform in front of Thai fans. It's just great."
Moriya admitted that playing in the last group on the final day was something which doesn't happen very often for her.
"It's pretty exciting. I played with Amy and So-Yeon and they are both great people. We're really nice to each other. That's kind of made me relax and we had fun out there."
World No.2 Ariya, meanwhile, will have to wait at least another 12 months to win her first LPGA title on the home soil and erase her nightmare loss to Park In-Bee in 2013.
She ended with a one-under 71 for a tied eighth place alongside world No.1 Lydia Ko (68), Lee Mi-Rim (68), Austin Ernst (69) and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (71) on 11-under 277.
"Overall I'm happy with how I played this week," said the 21-year-old. "I made some bad putts in the final round and the tough conditions don't really help but it's something every player has to deal with."
Ariya came off a highly successful 2016 season, winning five titles.
Moriya Jutanugarn in action on the final day. Pattanapong Hirunard