South Korea's Lee Solar wins her maiden CLPGA title in Xiamen

Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-13 19:36:59|Editor: mmm

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XIAMEN, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Korean golfer Lee Solar captured her maiden China LPGA Tour title on Saturday as she posted a final round of 70 to win the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Orient Masters by two strokes in Southeast China's coastal city of Xiamen.

Clinging to a one shot lead going into the final round at Orient Xiamen Golf and Country Club, Lee overcame a bogey-bogey start to finish on seven-under 209. The victory was worth 120,000 yuan (17,391 US dollars).

With partner Renuka Suksuksont of Thailand making birdie at the first hole, Lee quickly fell out of the lead with a bogey followed by another bogey at the second hole to fall two shots back.

After making par at the third, Lee pulled her game together with a magnificent stretch that saw her register five birdies over the next seven holes to get to eight-under par. She then played par golf from holes 11 to 17 before a bogey at the last.

"I felt nervous and that made me miss (par) the first two holes. After a quick adjustment I was able to calm down and focus on my game," said Lee, a 27-year-old pro who is playing on the CLPGA Tour for a third year. "I made some long putts and my iron play was solid and that gave me the confidence to win."

Chinese Taipei's Huang Ching was runner-up with 69, while Renuka (72) and South Korean Na Hee-won (70) shared equal third at three shots back.

Huang, winner of the Orient Masters Wuhan Challenge in May, started the day with three birdies over the first five holes. However, she posted consecutive bogeys starting at the sixth hole to fall to to three-under. She closed with two more birdies over the final nine holes.

Renuka, winner of the Philippines Ladies Masters in December, made birdie at the first hole and quickly got to the top of the leader board. But she couldn't get any momentum going in a round that featured three bogeys and two more birdies.

China's Yin Ruoning, the first round leader, was the top amateur in the event. The 16-year-old Shanghai native closed with 72 to finish equal fifth in a group of five players at four shots off the pace.