Xiamen: Prima Thammaraks captured her second title of her professional career yesterday with a four-shot victory at the Xiamen Orient Masters.
The Thai held it together under windy conditions in Fujian province to close with a final-round 74.
The second-year pro from Bangkok finished on seven-under-par 209 at Orient (Xiamen) Golf Country Club to earn her first China LPGA Tour title. The victory was worth RMB75,000 (approximately 376,000 baht).
South Korean Jang So-Young posted a bogey-free 68 to share second spot with compatriot Chung Ye-Na (71), while first round leader Supamas Sangchan (71) of Thailand was fourth, five shots off Prima's winning score.
Saranporn Langkulgasettrin, the China LPGA Tour Order of Merit leader, was fifth after the Thai closed with a 72.
Luo Ying (74) was the top Chinese player 10 shots back, finishing in a tie for eighth.
Starting the day with a five-shot lead, Prima managed pars on the first five holes before stumbling to a double-bogey six on the 405-yard sixth hole to drop to seven-under.
She then rebounded for a birdie at the ninth hole to make the turn at one-over 37.
After more bogeys at the 10th and 13th holes, the 25-year-old had a birdie at the 397-yard 14th hole before parring the next four holes.
"I'm very excited. The conditions were tough yesterday and today," said the Iowa State graduate, who won the Gold Coast Challenge in Australia in February.
She called the win special as it came a day after the first anniversary of the passing away of the beloved Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
"I am very happy that everything went as planned. My shots were good but my putts were not good enough. I didn't make many birdies though I hit a lot of good shots.
"The wind was stronger than yesterday so I had to be mentally calm the whole round. I am very happy right now and I can relax," said Prima, who dedicated the win to the late monarch.
Luo moved up the Order of Merit with her second top-10 finish of the year on six starts.
"My shots were good but the putts were not good enough today. I missed several close putts," lamented the 24-year-old from Guangdong.
"This is a good experience playing in the wind, especially for the mental game."