Ajira fends off charge from amateurs to capture Shanghai Classic
Source: Shanghai Daily |
March 31, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THAILAND'S Ajira Nualraksa held off Chinese amateurs Shi Yuting and Liu Yu to win the US$50,000 Shanghai Classic yesterday, the first tournament of the 2013 China LPGA Tour season.
Starting the day three shots off the lead, Ajira carded a final round 69 over the Orient (Shanghai) Sports and Country Club in sunny but windy conditions to beat second-round leader Shi (73) by one stroke. Liu closed with a 73 to finish third, three shots back.
Ajira, a Bangkok native, finished the tournament at four-under 212 to earn 75,000 yuan (US$12,075).
As 15-year-old Shi struggled through an erratic round that included four birdies, two doubles and a bogey, Ajira, 22, carded a bogey five on the opening hole and then played steady from there on in with two birdies on both the front and back nines.
"I wanted to win," said a visibly excited Ajira following her first CLPGA Tour victory. "When I walked on the course I just concentrate on everything. But I didn't look at the amateurs or look at anybody's score, I just do my best.
"On the course I just calmed myself down. I just tell myself don't think about the future, just concentrate and think positive. Now I'm so excited, my first time (to win internationally), and the points will help in the world rankings."
Shi could only express her disappointment in posting her second runner-up finish on the CLPGA circuit. She cited poor club selection on the front nine as her downfall before coming alive on the back nine with three consecutive birdies starting at the 10th hole.
Shi missed a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that would have forced a playoff.
"That putt was very important," said the teenager. "I want to make it but I miss... I feel disappointed. When I go back to the hotel I will try to figure out what's wrong."
Starting the day three shots off the lead, Ajira carded a final round 69 over the Orient (Shanghai) Sports and Country Club in sunny but windy conditions to beat second-round leader Shi (73) by one stroke. Liu closed with a 73 to finish third, three shots back.
Ajira, a Bangkok native, finished the tournament at four-under 212 to earn 75,000 yuan (US$12,075).
As 15-year-old Shi struggled through an erratic round that included four birdies, two doubles and a bogey, Ajira, 22, carded a bogey five on the opening hole and then played steady from there on in with two birdies on both the front and back nines.
"I wanted to win," said a visibly excited Ajira following her first CLPGA Tour victory. "When I walked on the course I just concentrate on everything. But I didn't look at the amateurs or look at anybody's score, I just do my best.
"On the course I just calmed myself down. I just tell myself don't think about the future, just concentrate and think positive. Now I'm so excited, my first time (to win internationally), and the points will help in the world rankings."
Shi could only express her disappointment in posting her second runner-up finish on the CLPGA circuit. She cited poor club selection on the front nine as her downfall before coming alive on the back nine with three consecutive birdies starting at the 10th hole.
Shi missed a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that would have forced a playoff.
"That putt was very important," said the teenager. "I want to make it but I miss... I feel disappointed. When I go back to the hotel I will try to figure out what's wrong."
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