Korea’s Amy Yang storms to five-shot victory in Thailand

Amy Yang sank a short birdie putt on the 72nd hole to seal a five-stroke victory at the Honda LPGA Thailand in style yesterday, the Korean claiming the title for a second time with a new tournament record. The 2015 champion closed with a four-under 68 at the Siam Country Club in Chonburi to finish with a 22-under-par total of 266, one shot lower than the previous record and well clear of nearest rival, fellow Korean Ryu So-yeon (68). Compatriot Kim Sei-young finished a further two strokes back in third place, while Americans Lexi Thompson and Danielle Kang shared fourth place alongside another Korean, Chun In-gee, on 13-under-par at the rain-hit event. Frustrating weather delays during the first three rounds left the players either battling boredom or needing to play almost 36 holes in a day, but Yang stayed focused throughout to claim a third LPGA title after leading for all four days. “I’m beyond happy,” Yang said in a greenside interview. “It wasn’t easy with all the rain delays, 4 a.m. wake-up calls two days in a row, but I stayed patient out there and did my best and am delighted to have won the tournament.” Starting her final round with a five-shot cushion, Yang always appeared in control of her destiny but when Ryu threatened to cut her lead to just two strokes on the back-nine, the 27-year-old produced a pair of title-winning shots. Yang made a complete mess of her chip from beside the green on the par-four 14th but breathed a huge sigh of relief when she drained a difficult 20-foot downhill putt to match Ryu’s par and keep her advantage at a manageable three shots. “The chip wasn’t easy from the bottom (of the slope) and I had a poor bounce but I knew I had to make the putt and fortunately I did,” added Yang, who only recorded two bogeys all week. Still pumped by the adrenaline of her clutch par-save, Yang sent a booming drive into the centre of the green on the short par-four 15th and was able to extend her lead by another shot with a tap-in birdie as Ryu’s challenge faded with a par. “I love this place, I love the people here and I always seem to play well,” Yang said. “It’s a great start to the year and I am really looking forward to the rest of the season.”Top scores266 — Amy Yang (KOR) 66-67-65-68271 — Ryu So-yeon (KOR) 69-66-68-68273 — Kim Sei-young (KOR) 67-70-68-68275 — Lexi Thumpson (USA) 68-70-70-67; Chun In-gee (KOR) 70-70-67-68; Danielle Kang (USA) 68-69-70-68276 Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 69-69-67-71277 — Lydia Ko (NWZ) 70-71-68-68; Lee Mi-rim (KOR) 71-66-72-68; Austin Ernst (USA) 71-68-69-69; Jodi Ewart Shadoff (ENG) 69-69-68-71; Ariya Jutanugarn 66-68-72-71 278 — Brittany Lincicome (USA) 73-67-70-68