Heartbreak for Moriya as Feng wins title
Thailand’s Moriya settles for second after her attempt to force play-off with last-hole birdie fails
>> HAINAN: Feng Shanshan became China’s first golfer to be world No.1 after she claimed back-to-back wins with a thrilling victory at the Blue Bay LPGA yesterday.
No Chinese golfer, male or female, has ever topped the rankings before and her slice of history underlines the country’s growing heft in the sport in both sexes.
Feng, who started the week third in the world, is projected to rise to top spot at the expense of South Korean rookie Park Sung-Hyun, the LPGA said.
The 28-year-old Feng’s ascent to the summit comes thanks to a nervy one-shot victory over Moriya Jutanugarn after the Thai’s birdie try on the 72nd hole lipped out on the southern Chinese island of Hainan.
Feng yesterday shot a two-under 70 for a nine-under 279 total while Moriya also concluded with a 70 for 280.
Feng’s victory kept Moriya’s quest for her first LPGA title at bay as the Thai world No.25 had to settle for a runner-up spot at Hainan Island — her fourth top-five finish in her last six tournaments.
“I was just trying to give myself a chance,” the 23-year-old Moriya said of her final putt.
Meanwhile Feng’s fellow Chinese players showered the trailblazer in water on the 18th green and she told LPGA.com: “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.
“I finished first in China, so I actually claimed the world No.1 in front of all the people at home,” said Feng, who is from Guangzhou and turned professional a decade ago.
The i n-form Feng, who also captured last week’s Japan Classic title, added: “Hopefully there will be more Chinese getting on the tours and more world No.1s coming up from China.
“I just want 2017 to keep going. A never-ending 2017, that would be great,” said Feng.
The deposed No.1 Park was tied third and relinquished the top spot after just one week.
Moriya’s younger sister Ariya (73) was tied for 16th with Michelle Wie (72) on 288. Pornanong Phatlum, another Thai in the field, was at joint 25th on 293.
The LPGA Tour heads back to the United States next week for the CME Group Tour Championship in Florida, the final event of the season.