Yin Ruoning continued her domination of the early China LPGA Tour season on Friday as the Shanghai teenager beat Du Mohan in a first-hole play-off to win the Golf Liquor Zhuhai Golden Gulf Challenge.
Last week, the 17-year-old rookie pro won the season-opening Zhuhai Hollywood Mansion Challenge when she also bested Du by one stroke for her maiden title.
Playing under sunny conditions in Guangdong province, Yin closed with a six-under 66 in the third round to finish on 13-under 203 at the Colin Montgomerie-designed Zhuhai Golden Gulf Golf Club. Du, the overnight leader and defending champion, carded a two-under 70.
Liu Yan was third after a 71 to sit two shots back, while Zhang Jienalin, the first-round co-leader, was fourth following a 70 to finish four shots off the pace.
Huang Ying, an 18-year-old from Zhuhai, was the top amateur after closing with a 71 to tie for sixth at eight strokes back.
Playing the first hole of sudden death on the 366-yard 18th hole, Du went long in her approach as her ball stopped 30-feet beyond the flag. She then putted her third shot seven feet past the hole as Yin left her 20-foot birdie putt inches from the flag. The 18-year-old Du missed her par putt coming back and picked up her ball to concede defeat.
Yin played flawless golf, recording her fourth bogey-free performance in her last five rounds. She started her round four shots back and reeled off six birdies on the day, including three straight from the sixth hole.
"This victory is unexpected. Yes, entering this round I aimed at victory but who knew I would win back-to-back. I didn't change my plan. I didn't play over-aggressive. I just tried my best," said the teenager who also won the CLPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament in January as an amateur.
"My swing adjustment after the first round gave me plenty of confidence I felt my long game came back yesterday. I was sharp again. Nobody could stop me. I didn't think Du would make three putts [in the play-off] but we will play again. A win is a win."
Du started the day with a one-stroke lead but struggled to get her round going. After a bogey five at the 389-yard sixth hole to drop to 10-under, she bounced back for a birdie at the next and another at the ninth.
As Du picked up one more stroke on the back nine, a birdie at the 363-yard 13th, she could only watch as her playing partner Yin card three birdies down the stretch to force the play-off.
"I don't regret this. I was in a peaceful mind from start to end. I am really satisfied with my play. I did what I wanted to do. My putts were good. Some went in, others not," said Du, a Beijing native who has qualified for this year's US Women's Open in December. "The long putt in the play-off was not very good. I also missed the comeback putt from seven feet. I misread it a little bit."
Liu, who will also be in the field for the US Women's Open after finishing second on last year's CLPGA Tour Order of Merit, started the day one shot back. She saw her chance of winning disappear at the 152-yard 12th hole where she registered a triple-bogey six.
"That was my only foolish mistake today. I hit into the water and had to go back and re-tee. My mind was affected. After that I had a birdie chance every hole but I couldn't make them all," said the Xiamen native.
The CLPGA Tour continues next week with the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Orient Masters starting on Wednesday from Xiamen. Enditem
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