PATTAYA - Thailand's new golden golfer Ariya "Nong May" Jutanugarn failed on the final hole to take out the US$1.5 million Honda LPGA Thailand title, missing out narrowly in becoming the first Thai to win an LPGA event in her first major appearance as a professional.
Ariya Jutanugarn (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)
Korean world number four Inbee Park claimed the honours after the teenage local star suffered heartbreak after throwing away a two-shot lead on the 18th.
Park returned to the clubhouse with a final-round 67 and 12-under for the tournament overall (67-71-71-67), edging 17-year-old Ariya by a shot after the home favourite triple-bogeyed the last and left the final green in tears.
Working with a three-stroke lead compiled Saturday, the sensational 17-year-old opened her final round Sunday with a birdie on the first hole.
Defending champion Yani Tseng of Taiwan, who has been in a slump, made a spectacular recovery, shooting a nine-under 63, boosting herself from 24th place to third. So Yeon Ryu of Korea and Beatriz Recarl of Spain tied Tseng in third.
Ariya has won the United States Junior Amateur, US Amateur Public Links, AJGA Rolex Girls Junior, Junior PGA, Canadian Women's Amateur and Polo Golf Junior Classic.
Her sister, Moriya, plays on the LPGA Tour.