Jang wins maiden title in Beijing
Print Edition
JANG So-young captured her first pro win yesterday at the Beijing Challenge when the South Korean closed with a 69 for a wire-to-wire, five-shot victory at the 500,000 yuan (US$80,000) China LPGA Tour event.
With a 14-under 202 total, the 23-year-old, who earlier this month won the China sectional to qualify for the upcoming US Women’s Open, earned 75,000 yuan for the victory.
China’s Yan Panhong was a distant second after a 69, while Thai Pavarisa Yoktuan (69) was a shot further back. China national team member Li Jiayun (69) made a successful pro debut in finishing fourth.
Shi Yuting finished as the top amateur after the 16-year-old Beijinger, who will also be playing at the US Women’s Open, closed with a 71 to sit equal fifth with compatriot Yan Panpan (68).
After opening with a career-best 64 on Thursday, Jang stayed true to her prediction that she would need to shoot 2 or 3 under in the final round to secure her first win. With a five-stroke lead going into the final day, the Changwon native picked up a stroke on the first hole and then never looked back, playing conservatively throughout her round that included five birdies and two bogeys.
“I cannot believe, until now, that I can be a winner,” said an emotional Jang who was equal third in Qingdao last week. “I feel I’m still dreaming. I’m really happy I made the US Open qualifying and this is my first win.”
The China LPGA Tour moves to Wuxi next for the Srixon XXI0 Ladies Open, starting on Thursday.
In Galloway, New Jersey, Jennifer Johnson equalled the course record with a 9-under 62 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the LPGA Tour’s ShopRite Classic on Friday.
The 22-year-old American has one win on the LPGA tour, capturing the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic in 2013.
Japan’s Haru Nomura carded an 8-under 63 to sit alone in second place, while American Christina Kim is in third at 7-under 64. World No. 1 Park In-bee and Choi Na-yeon, both of South Korea, shot matching 5-under 66s to share fourth.
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