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China’s Feng rallies to win Thornberry Creek Classic
LOS ANGELES, July 8, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Feng Shanshan scorched her way
through the final round of the LPGA Tour’s Thornberry Creek Classic on Sunday
with a nine-under-par 63 to win the event by one stroke over Ariya
Jutanugarn.
China’s Feng outduelled Ariya on the back nine, matching her closing birdie
putt with one of her own from three feet to claim her first victory in 20
months and the 10th of her career.
Feng rolled in four birdies in her final six holes to reach a 29-under 259
total which is close to what she was shooting for at the start of the week.
“I was aiming for 30 under, that was my goal,” Feng said. “The last putt
was a lot of pressure but I just told myself to make another good putt.”
Former world number one Feng’s previous best finish this year was a tie for
fourth at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.
Ariya, who was playing in the group in front of Feng, capped her eight-
under 64 round with a two foot birdie putt on 18 to tie Feng at 28 under and
set up a dramatic finish.
“I was walking up the green and I thought I had it but then I looked up at
the scoreboard and realized I have got to make this putt,” said Feng, who
used a seven iron to hit her approach on 18 to just three feet.
Ariya, of Thailand, had a three-shot lead at one stage on the back nine
until Feng made her move.
Feng’s 29-under was two shots shy of the LPGA record that Kim Sei-young set
last year at the Thornberry Creek course just outside of Green Bay,
Wisconsin.
South Korea’s Amy Yang shot a 65 and finished in a tie for third at 25
under with American Tiffany Joh, who shot 67.
Kim Hyo-joo fired a eight under 64 to finish alone in fifth, five shots
back of Feng.
Patty Paphangkorn Tavatanakit shot an 11-under 61 to break the 18 hole
scoring record at the event. Tavatanakit made five birdies and three eagles
in her round and finished in a tie for 15th.
The Thailand rookie, who was playing in just her second tournament since
tuning pro, was one of several unheralded players that benefitted from the
relaxed scoring conditions this week at the Legends Championship Course.
This was Tavatanakit’s third LPGA tournament of the year and fourth in her
career. Tavatanakit had shot just one round below par this year heading into
this week’s event.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0831 hrs