Kang rallies to Shanghai victory as Liu falls short
A SOLID back nine proved the difference for Danielle Kang yesterday as the American veteran gave herself a belated birthday present when she reeled off four birdies to win the Buick LPGA Shanghai by two strokes.
A day after turning 26, the San Francisco native closed with a final-round 69 at the inaugural championship to finish on 13under 275. Her second LPGA Tour win was worth US$315,000.
Liu Wenbo nearly put together a fairy-tale ending at Shanghai Qizhong Garden Golf Club as the Chinese teenager grabbed a share of the lead on the strength of four birdies over the first nine holes. It wasn’t to be, however, as the 17-year-old Beijinger closed with a 4-under 68 to finish equal second with New Zealander Lydia Ko (66), Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn (71), Korean Kim Sei-young (72) and Americans Annie Park (67), Marina Alex (67) and Brittany Altomare (71).
Kang, who finished equal third in South Korea last week, said she was relieved to put together two consecutive weeks of strong play after battling anxiety issues while standing over the ball.
“I’ve been through so much just mental struggle that it’s just been emotionally draining all year. I’ve had just some anxiety problems for months and months,” said Kang whose only previous win was a major, the 2017 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and who became the seventh US player to win on the LPGA Tour in 2018.
Liu, who turned pro last month after winning the individual silver medal at the recent Asian Games in Jakarta where she led China to the team bronze, called her performance against the world’s best players a “confidence boost.” Next year she plans to go to US LPGA Tour qualifying school to win her playing card.
“Today I was very consistent. I played very well on the front nine,” said Liu, daughter of former national team volleyball player Cui Yongmei. “The iron play and the putting were very good but the back nine the putting was not good. I missed so many short birdie putts.”
Chinese players made a strong showing at the US$2.1-million tournament that was co-sanctioned with the China LPGA Tour as Liu Yu (71) was three shots back. Feng Shanshan closed with even-par 72 to finish equal 20th. The China No. 1 admitted she was watching the leaderboard during her round, following the progress of the young Chinese players in contention.
“I was paying attention to the leaderboard and I saw the Chinese flags on them,” said the Guangdong native, the world No. 9. “I am really excited and I am really cheering for them because when I am not playing well we still have Chinese flags on the leaderboard. That’s very important because we are playing the LPGA Tour in China.”
The tournament was the second of five events during the LPGA’s annual Asian swing.