Feng clinches record Dubai Ladies Masters
Defending champion Feng Shanshan won a record fourth Dubai Ladies Masters title yesterday following a brilliant eight-under par final round 64.
The 27-year-old from China started the day five shots behind overnight leader Felicity Johnson of England. But she claimed back-to-back titles finishing on a 10-under par total of 206 as the leaders fell by the wayside on a windy day at the Majlis course of Emirates Golf Club.
Feng, the highest ranked player in the field at world No4, was chased home by England’s Charley Hull second at eightunder par following a 65. India’s Aditi Ashok signed off a brilliant season tied for third place with England’s Florentyna Parker at six-under par 210 in the tournament that was reduced to 54 holes following the death of caddie Maximilian Zechmann on the opening day Wednesday.
American Beth Allen won the LET Order of Merit crown, while Ashok was the Rookie of the Year. Feng made the most of the early holes playing downwind, making four birdies in a row from the second onwards, and then had another fantastic stretch from the difficult par-4 ninth onwards, as she added three more to her tally. “I’m really happy that I actually brought out my ‘A game’ today,” said Feng. “I knew that it was going to be windy and I knew that playing in the wind is one of my strongest parts. So even though I was five behind, I always thought that maybe I would still have a chance to win this week and I tried my best. Eight-under was a pretty good score.”
Hull, who won her first LPGA Tour title three weeks ago at the CME Group Tour Championship, had a similar story to Feng. After two quiet days, the 21-year-old from Woburn caught fire and posted a bogeyfree 65. “Today, I kind of woke up and got into my golf game. I’ve been a bit lazy all week on the golf course, but today I got in there and kind of concentrated,” said the world No18.
“I holed a few putts today and I missed a lot of putts. I hit it pretty well and it was really windy today. So I’m quite happy with my score in them conditions.”
Ashok, who shot a third consecutive round of 70 with four birdies and two bogeys, was happy with her finish, although disappointed that she could not make the most of the first four holes that played easy yesterday. “It was pretty solid. I actually didn’t start very well today. I was one-over in the first four holes when all four were actually birdieable with the tailwind. So I didn’t really make use of that,” said the Olympian who also qualified for the LPGA Tour next year.
Allen, who won twice in the season before finishing tied 55th at six-over this week, topped the LET Money List with 313,079 euros ($330,000), while Ashok was second in the standings at EUR206,665. The event was marred by the death of 56-year-old Zechmann who was caddying for France’s Anne-Lise Caudal when he collapsed on the 13th fairway on the first day. — AFP