Pattaya: American Lilia Vu snatched the Honda LPGA Thailand trophy from Thai rookie Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, scoring a one-shot victory after a helter-skelter final round yesterday.
The Californian had realistically only been in contention for a top-five finish as players teed off in gusty headwinds at the par-72 Siam Country Club in Pattaya but carded an eight-under-par final round of 64 to win.
Natthakritta, 20, had also hit a 64 in Saturday's third round to maintain the tournament lead but the title slipped from her grasp with a one-under closing round of 71.
Vu's fortunes changed at the eighth hole, where she hit the first of five consecutive birdies.
That set up the 25-year-old for a winning 22-under-par total of 266, her first Rolex LPGA tour victory that came with prize money of US$255,000.
"Yesterday I was thinking -- my dad was telling me one good round tomorrow and I could win. That's all I kept thinking about," she said.
Vu almost stumbled at the tricky 17th hole before righting herself to save par and maintain her narrow lead.
"Today I basically just blacked out and tried to birdie every single hole," she said. "I always want to win when I'm out here," she said. "I just wanted to allow it to happen and it finally did."
It was a bitter end to a stellar performance for Natthakritta, who came out of relative obscurity after receiving a tournament invitation from a sponsor.
She had grabbed a shock lead by the halfway point of the tournament with successive rounds of 65 and 64 in front of enthusiastic local supporters.
Natthakritta started six shots clear of Vu, and two ahead of her nearest rival, compatriot Atthaya Thitikul, but intense nerves betrayed her on a scorecard that included four bogeys and a double bogey.
There was a glimmer of hope for Natthakritta with a steadying par at the 13th, followed by an eye-catching birdie at the par-three 14th.
Natthakritta Vongtaveelap tees off on the 10th hole. MANAN VATSYAYANA
However, it was too late to stop Vu's steady progress through the back nine after her earlier birdie blitz.
"The last day was very windy, making it difficult to play and resulting in me not being able to score very well. I need to practise playing in windy environments more," she said.
"Today was very exciting because there were a lot of fans cheering us on and it was great fun to play in front of them. Overall, I am satisfied with my effort and will apply this experience to my career. As for the rest of the year, I aim to do my best in order to rank well on the LPGA Tour."
Atthaya, a former world No.1 and runner-up in the 2021 tournament, finished third after a final-round 68.
"I had a really good week this week in my hometown. I didn't get to where I wanted but the process has been in the right direction. It is always great to be out here competing in front of our fans and I also think I had a really good day today as well but just a little bit off at some points but it's all good overall," she said.
Top-ranked Lydia Ko played solid but the New Zealander was undone by a double-bogey and bogey finish on the final two holes to card a 69 for a share of sixth.
First round co-leader Jaravee Boochant finished tied 17th on 13-under 275 after a closing five-under-par 67.
Pornanong Phatlum, who shot a final-round 73, was at joint 27th on 10-under 278, two strokes ahead of Moriya Jutangarn (70).
Chanettee Wannasaen (68) and former winner Ariya Jutanugarn (72) were in a group of seven tied at 51st on four-under 284. afp/bangkok post
Atthaya Thitikul follows her first shot on the 10th hole. MANAN VATSYAYANA