Yang makes it two out of three in LPGA Thailand
JOHANNESBURG: South African Darren Fichardt birdied the last hole Sunday for a final round 68 and a one-stroke victory in the rain-affected Joburg Open.
The European Tour event was reduced from 72 holes to 54 after the first three days of the championship were interrupted by torrential rain.
Fichardt not only topped the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club leaderboard, but also claimed one of three 2017 British Open places up for grabs.
The other two invitations to the major at Royal Birkdale were taken by Joburg Open runners-up Paul Waring of England and Stuart Manley of Wales.
Fichardt shot rounds of 66, 66 and 68 for a 15-under total of 200 over a course that resembled marshland in places after downpours from Thursday to Saturday.
Waring closed with a 69 and Manley with a 67 for totals of 201 as they both sought a first European Tour triumph.
It was the fifth European Tour success for 41-year-old Pretoria-born Fichardt, and his first since lifting the Africa Open trophy four years ago.
“This was a tough final round for me,” admitted the South African who changed his putter and putting grip this week after months of frustration on the greens.
“I could not hole a putt to save my life in recent weeks,” he admitted after receiving the trophy from the mayor of Johannesburg.
“My old putter had suffered a lot and needed a holiday,” joked the champion. “I gave it to my son and have not seen it since.
“I did not putt very well today and was outdriven at every hole by my two playing partners, but I stuck in there.
“Earning a place at the British Open is a tremendous bonus — going to Royal Birkdale will be awesome.” BANGKOK: Amy Yang swept to victory after a gruelling bout of catch-up thanks to thundery skies in the Honda LGPA in Thailand on Sunday, the second time she has taken the tournament in the last three seasons.
The golfers had to hit marathon sessions when Friday’s second round was postponed because of rain, forcing many to play double rounds on Saturday to keep to schedule.
Yang had to wade through 31 holes on day three, which gave her a four-shot lead over rivals going into the final day.
But the South Korean still had a further five remaining round three holes to finish on Sunday morning before going into the final stretch.
If she was tired she didn’t show it, firing four birdies and no bogeys during the last round to set a tournament record of 266, or 22 under par.
The rest of the podium also belonged to South Koreans.
Ryu Yeon-so came in second, a distant five shots behind Yang on 271. Another compatriot Kim Sei-young came in third with 273.
“You know, very happy, beyond happy. Wasn’t easy with rain delays and 4:00 a.m. wake-up calls two days in a row,” Yang said after the tournament according to a report put out by organizers.
“But, you know, I stayed really patient out there, did my best, and very happy to win the tournament.”
Final top scores from the Honda LPGA Thailand at Pattaya’s Siam Country Club on Sunday: 266 — Amy Yang (KOR) 66-67-65-68 271 — Ryu So-yeon (KOR) 69-66-68-68 273 — Kim Sei-young (KOR) 67-70-68-68 275 — Lexi Thumpson (USA) 68-70-70-67; Chun In-gee (KOR) 70-70-67-68; Danielle Kang (USA) 68-69-70-68 276 Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 69-69-67-71 277 — 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) 69-6968-71; Ariya Jutanugarn 66-68-72-71
278 — Brittany Lincicome (USA) 73-67-7068