Late birdie ensures Kim seals victory in Weihai

KIM Ji-hyun did just enough to capture the Asiana Airlines Open crown yesterday as the Korean veteran made birdie on the second to last hole to close with a 3-under-par 69, one stroke ahead of compatriot Cho Jeong-min (65).

Overnight leader “Kim Ji-hyun 2”, as she is known on the LPGA Tour of Korea circuit, finished the 54-hole tournament at Weihai Point Golf Resort in Weihai, east China’s Shandong Province, on 11-under 205. The win, her first of the season, at the China LPGA Tour co-sponsored event was worth 833,879 yuan (US$125,600). Korean players dominated the 78-player, no-cut field in occupying the top seven spots on the leaderboard. Bae Seon-woo shot 67 to finish third at two shots off the pace. Saranporn Langkulgasettrin was the best of the CLPGA Tour regulars with the Thai closing with a 70 to sit equal eighth, seven shots back. Feng Shanshan was the top Chinese as the world No. 6 shot 70 to finish equal 14th.