Onnarin Sattayabanphot, 33, claimed her first title of the year and her third on the LPGA of Japan Tour, winning the ¥60 million (18 million baht) Golf 5 Ladies Professional Golf Tournament in Chiba yesterday.
Onnarin Sattayabanphot with the winner's trophy.
Trailing leader Megumi Shimogawa by one shot after two rounds, the Thai star closed with three straight birdies for a sizzling eight-under 64 to win the title on 12-under 204, five shots ahead of second placed Shimogawa at the Golf 5 Country Oak Bridge layout.
Onnarin won her maiden title at the Hoken no Madoguchi Ladies Cup in 2013 before taking the Daikin Orchid Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association title the following year.
Onnarin took home the ¥10.8 million (around 3.2 million baht) winner's cheque while Shimogawa received ¥5,280,000 (1.5 million baht).
Onnarin started off with two successive pars before sinking birdies on 3, 6, 7 and 9 to move into lead on eight under at the turn. She stayed hot on the back nine and picked up four more birdies on 13, 16, 17 and 18.
"I'm so happy to have finally won again," said Onnarin.
"Today I was telling myself to keep it one shot at a time and not to think too far ahead. And it worked!," added the Thai, whose yesterday's win has guaranteed her a spot on the tour for the next season.
THAIS EYE SECOND SWEEP
Fresh from their successful SEA Games campaign, Thailand's national golfers set out to defend their titles at the 2017 Southeast Asian Golf Team Championships in Indonesia starting tomorrow.
The Thai golfers swept all individual and team titles at the Putra Cup, Santi Cup, Lion City Cup and Kartini Cup in Singapore last year.
SEA Games stars Kosuke Hamamoto, Kammalas Namuangruk, Wichayanon Chothirunrungrueng and Sadom Kaewkanjana will compete in the 57th Putra Cup, while the women's team of Atthaya Thitikul, Thitapa Pakdeesettakul and Manuschaya Zeemakorn will take part in the ninth Santi Cup.
Atiruj Winaicharoenchai, Wanchai Luangnitikul and Ranchanapong Yooprayong will compete at the 11th Lion City Cup (boys U17) while the girls U17 team comprising Kan Banbodee, Thanrada Piddon and Waralee Ajcharirk will play in the 5th Kartini Cup.
"We are sticking with our SEA Games teams for both the Putra Cup and the Santi Cup," said team manager Kanes Nitiwanakul. "They began training right after the SEA Games and are 100% ready.
"Our target is to defend all the titles and we expect the home [Indonesia] players and the Singapore team, who won the SEA Games men's team gold medal, to be our biggest challengers."
All events will be held at Gading Raya Padang Golf & Klub in Serpong.
Thailand again reigned supreme at the SEA Games, which ended last Wednesday, winning three gold, two silver and one bronze medals.