Pattaya: Hot favourite Chanettee Wannasaen claimed her sixth title of the season after defeating Samaporn Phangkhun at the fourth play-off hole in the weather-disrupted SAT-TWT Open Road to World Ranking yesterday.
The 2.5 million baht tournament at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club was reduced to 36 holes.
Rain had suspended play of some players in Thursday's second round which was expected to resume yesterday.
But an incessant downpour put the tournament farther behind schedule, forcing orgainisers to decide the winner based on results from two instead of three rounds.
Chanettee and Samaporn were tied at nine-under-par 135 after 36 holes and had to duel in a sudden-death play-off at the 18th hole.
After both made three pars in the play-off, Chanettee finally beat Samaporn in the fourth attempt when she sank an eight-foot birdie putt.
The 18-year-old admitted that she felt nervous at the start of the sudden-death play.
"My hands were shaking at the first play-off hole but after that things got better," said Chanettee, who took home 367,500 baht in prize money.
The win, her first play-off success as a professional player, boosts her confidence before she plays in three tournaments in Europe including the Women's Scottish Open next month.
"I really need this type of confidence before I go to Europe. The condition there will be tough for me as I don't like cold weather.
"I will have to wear thick clothes and acclimatise with the weather as quickly as possible."
For Samaporn, she may settle for second but still this is by far the best result of her career.
"I felt under pressure during the play-off as I had never been so close to victory before. But I'm so proud with the way I gave it a fight out there," she said.