Olympic bronze medalist thrills home crowd with historic victory

Feng Shanshan on Saturday became China mainland’s first golfer — male or female — to be projected world No 1 after her thrilling victory in the Blue Bay LPGA at Jian Lake Blue Golf Club on the southern Chinese island of Hainan.

According to the LPGA website, Feng, who started last week at No 3, is poised to take over the top spot at the expense of South Korean rookie Park Sung-hyun, who tied for third.

Feng’s pending coronation was sealed by a one-shot victory over Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn, whose birdie attempt on the 72nd hole lipped out — much to the delight of the home crowd.

Feng finished the 72-hole event at 9-under 279 to earn $315,000 for her third title of the season and ninth of her career — including one major.

“I’m really, really excited and very proud of myself and I think it’s special because I won this tournament to become world No 1,” Feng told LPGA.com.

“I finished first in China, so I actually claimed the world

I just want 2017 to keep going. A never-ending 2017, that would be great.”

Feng Shanshan, China’s new world No 1 No 1 in front of all the people at home,” added the 28-yearold native of Guangzhou, who turned pro in 2007.

Feng, who also captured last week’s Toto Japan Classic, added: “Hopefully there will be more Chinese getting on the tours and more world No 1s coming from China.

“I just want 2017 to keep going. A never-ending 2017, that would be great.”

Park, who grabbed the top spot after the Japan Classic, closed with even-par 72 to finish tied for third with South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai (73) and Megan Khang (68) and Jessica Korda (71) of the US.

Jutanugarn, whose younger sister Ariya finished nine strokes off the pace, lamented another blown opportunity to capture her first LPGA crown.

“Of course everybody is