BEIJING : A week after winning her maiden professional title in Thailand, Wichanee Meechai collected her first international victory yesterday at the Beijing Challenge.
Wichanee Meechai
The 20-year-old Bangkok native came from six shots off the pace after two rounds to win after firing a nine-under-par 63 _ a new China LPGA Tour record low round _ on the last day for 206.
She beat compatriot Walailak Satarak (71) and South Korean Jang So-young (70) by two strokes and took home RMB75,000 in prize money.
"I feel great today. Today is a wonderful day. My putting was great," said Wichanee, daughter of Wanchai Meechai, the Asian Tour's tournament director.
"My friends in my group said this was crazy. I'm very happy. I'm so proud of myself and I think my parents are so proud of me," she added.
With the weather at Orient (Beijing) Pearl Golf Country Club hot and sunny, the conditions were perfect for some low scores.
Wichanee, winner of last week's Singha-SAT Thai LPGA Championship, got off to a fast start in the final round with five birdies on the front nine and picked up four more on the back nine.
"I think in golf anything is possible," she said.
"Two wins in a row is pretty cool. I think it was a lucky day for me and my putter was very good."
Walailak, an overnight co-leader who was looking for her first victory since winning twice in Canada in 2008, lamented her missed opportunities.
"Today my game wasn't really good. I didn't hit a solid shot, didn't make any putts," she said. "I always put myself in a bad position to get to the pin so I couldn't get close.
"I was on the green but not close enough to get birdie. I was saving par all day."
FINAL ROUND SCORES
(Chinese unless stated; a denotes amateur)
206 _ Wichanee Meechai (THA) 70-73-63
208 _ Walailak Satarak (THA) 68-69-71, Jang So-young (KOR) 68-70-70
209 _ Chen Cuixia 72-71-66
210 _ a-Shi Yuting 67-70-73, Liu Yi-chen (TWN) 73-66-71
211 _ Guo Caizhu 73-71-67, Tiranan Yoopan (THA) 67-71-73, Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai (THA) 68-69-74
212 _ Narisara Kerdrit (THA) 71-71-70, Shang Linyan 72-73-67, Pavarisa Yoktuan (THA) 68-74-70