TIANJIN, China, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Nook Sukapan made her first appearance on the CLPG Tour since 2018 a memorable one on Friday as the Thai veteran closed with a three-under 69 to win the Straits Cup Ladies Classic by three strokes in Tianjin.
As fellow Thai Chakansim Khamborn (77) watched her four-stroke overnight lead evaporate over the first five holes at Tianjin Fortune Lake Golf Club (C and D courses), the 28-year-old Nook held steady to capture her third CLPG Tour title, her first since winning twice in 2015.
For her winning score of 10-under 206 at the tournament that featured a field made up of CLPG Tour regulars and their counterparts from the TLPGA Tour, the Chiang Rai native received 144,000 Yuan (about 21,000 U.S. dollars).
"This (win) really means a lot to me," said Nook who captured her 11th tournament win around the region since turning pro in 2014. "I really work hard at every tournament. I keep learning. I keep practicing more and more. It's really good. I am so proud of myself this week."
Xu Ying, the rookie pro from Zhuhai, closed with a two-under 70 to finish runner-up, a stroke ahead of Thai Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong (71), Chinese Taipei's Huang Ting-hsuan (72) and Chakansim who were equal third, four strokes back.
Xu, who started the day six shots back, came out firing with four birdies over the first seven holes to briefly grab a share of the lead at nine-under. After a bogey five at the 13th hole, she rebounded with a birdie at the par-five next. Needing a birdie at the last to force what would have been playoff with Nook, the teenager found water on her tee shot resulting in a penalty stroke.
"I felt I played really well on the front nine today. I capitalized on a lot of opportunities. Although I wasn't hitting it exceptionally close, my putting stroke felt consistent and reliable throughout. The only downside was that I didn't create enough chances on the back nine," said the 17-year-old Xu, a three-time winner on the CLPG Tour.
Notable scores saw CLPG Tour points ranking leader Ren Yijia close with an even-par 72 to finish equal ninth at six strokes back. Tang Luoqi (71) was the top amateur two shots further back. First-round leader An Zining struggled to a 77 to finish on even-par. ■
