Parinda Phokan captured the PTT Thailand LPGA Masters title in dominant fashion yesterday, romping to a six-stroke victory at Bangkok's Panya Indra Golf Club.
The 21-year-old Khon Kaen native, who never trailed in the four million baht tournament, closed with a final-round 69 to finish on 14-under 202.
The victory at the tournament tri-sanctioned by the Thai LPGA and Australian LPG Tours was worth 600,000 baht.
"I feel really proud of myself," said Parinda, who earned her second victory of the season after winning a domestic tournament in April.
"Today I just focused on shooting two- or three-under and having fun out there."
Thai amateur Kultida Pramphun finished runner-up after the 17-year-old Bangkok native closed with a 67 for her best round of the week in the season finale of the Thai LPGA Tour.
Compatriot Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras (69) was joint third with South Korean Park Jin-Hee (71) and New Zealand's Munchin Keh (71), eight strokes back.
Du Mohan (69) and Liu Yan (71) were the top Chinese in the 114-player field, finishing tied ninth, 10 strokes off the winning score.
Parinda, whose 14-under mark set a new record for lowest score at the six-year-old tournament, closed with a round that featured five birdies and two bogeys, including one at the last.
"I was a little excited by that time [at the 366-yard 18th hole]," she said. "I knew I was the leader by seven strokes so I wasn't worried and the bogey at the last was okay."
Du, who turned professional last week in Liaoning, said she was happy to finish with consecutive rounds of 69, posting only a lone bogey over the final 36 holes.
The 16-year-old from Beijing noted the dominance of the Thais, who occupied six of the top-eight spots on the leaderboard.
"They are more in number than the Chinese girls. In fact, the talent pool is larger in Thailand. Next year I think a Chinese player can win this. Hopefully I will be among those in contention down the stretch."
Arpichaya Yubol, the 16-year-old Thai sensation who was chasing her sixth straight Thai LPGA Tour win, closed with a 70 to finish joint 14th.
Compatriot Saranporn Langkulgasettrin, the current CLPGA Tour Order of Merit leader, had a miserable round of 80 to finish joint 47th, 19 strokes off the pace.