SHANGHAI, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Beijing teenager Liu Yujie made history on Sunday as the 16-year-old became the first amateur to win the Women's China Open, securing a four-stroke victory at the national championship.
Starting the final round one stroke off the lead in sunny but breezy conditions at the links-style PGA Anying Golf Club Yangtze Dunes course on Shanghai's Chongming Island, Liu closed with a three-under-par 69 for a 54-hole total of seven-under 209. It was the third CLPG Tour victory in two years for China's top-ranked female amateur against professional fields.
"The thing I'm especially happy about is that I won my first tournament after being away from competition for two months. I'm a player who really loves competing, and I usually play tournaments consecutively rather than taking such a long break," said Liu, the daughter of former table tennis world champion and Olympic gold medalist Liu Guoliang.
"To come back and achieve such a good result feels great. I think it shows that I've matured as a player and become better at adapting to different situations."
Cui Jinghan added to a strong showing by Chinese amateurs at the CLPG Tour's flagship event, with the 15-year-old Beijing native carding an even-par 72 to finish tied for second with overnight leader Shi Yuli, who shot 74. As the leading professional, Shi collected the 180,000 yuan winner's purse.
Playing in the final group, Liu drew level for the lead at the first hole after making par while Shi opened with a bogey. Liu then birdied the second to move into the outright lead.
Shi birdied the 150-meter fifth hole to draw level, but the seventh proved pivotal as Liu made birdie and Shi bogeyed for a two-shot swing. Shi dropped another stroke at the eighth to fall three behind, while Liu reeled off 10 consecutive pars before sealing victory with a birdie on the final hole.
"Overall, I felt good about my game today. My driving, approach shots, and shots around the greens were all pretty steady. I was able to maintain a consistent scoring level throughout the three rounds. Even with a two-shot advantage heading into the final hole, nothing is certain until the ball drops into the cup. I knew I had to stay patient and concentrate on what I needed to do," said Liu, 16th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
"The 18th hole was definitely the highlight of my day. It was the final hole, and there were more spectators there than anywhere else on the course. It was great to play such a beautiful hole in front of everyone, and I was really happy to make a birdie."
Shi, last year's inaugural points ranking winner, lamented a missed opportunity to claim her second career title after winning the season-ending CLPG Tour Championship in December.
"My game wasn't in great shape during the first half of the year as I was sick quite a bit. This week, I felt like I was getting back into form, so it was a bit of a shame that I couldn't quite finish the way I wanted to on the final day," said Shi. "I struggled to find my rhythm today, and my tempo felt a little off, particularly with my putting. I was probably a bit too aggressive on the greens."
Cui, 79th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, started the day two shots behind Shi but was unable to mount a sustained challenge for the lead while playing in the final group. Her round included three birdies and three bogeys, with the last bogey coming on the final hole.
"I played pretty well today, especially on the back nine where I holed a few long putts. On a few holes, particularly the first two or three, I didn't judge the wind quite right, which affected my distance control," said the teenager.
"This result will give me more confidence moving forward. When I play in bigger tournaments in the future, I'll feel more confident setting higher goals for myself. It'll also encourage me to keep practicing and improving my game."
Ren Yijia, the CLPG Tour points ranking leader, shot a one-over 73 to finish fourth, five strokes off the pace. Thailand's Nook Sukapan finished a further shot back in fifth after carding a 67, the lowest round of the tournament.
Pang Runzhi, last year's champion, closed with a 77 to finish tied for 29th, 15 strokes behind Liu. ■
