Big-hitting Chonlada joyful after maiden victory in play-off
>> ZHUHAI: Chonlada Chayanun earned her first victory as a pro yesterday when the big-hitting Thai emerged from a five-player play-off to claim the Hengqing Phoenix Tree Building Orient Golf Challenge title.
With Thai Wanchana Poruangrong (70), South Korean Seo Ji-Hyun (68) and China’s Sui Xiang (71) and Liu Ying (66) also finishing on five-under 211 through 54 holes of regulation play at the China LPGA Tour event, Chonlada (69) quickly ended it with a birdie at the first extra hole.
“I am really happy now, I can’t express how happy I am. I put in a lot of hard work and it worked,” said the 25-year-old Chonlada, a third-year pro from Nakhon Ratchasima.
“This is my first play-off since I turned pro. I was a little nervous when I stood on the 18th tee. I tried to calm myself down and tried to focus on what I was doing. I tried to do my best.”
Starting the day four strokes off the lead, Chonlada quickly went to work with birdies at the second and seventh holes before dropping a stroke at the ninth to make the turn at three-under.
The Iowa State graduate then reeled off consecutive birdies starting at the 12th hole before making bogey at the 14th hole. A key birdie at the last got her into the play-off.
“My irons and putts were good today and my shots were good too,” said Chonlada. “This year, I will try to be in the top 10 in every event.” LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES (Par-72, Chonlada won on first play-off hole) 211 — Chonlada Chayanun (THA) 70-72-69, Sui Xiang (CHN) 69-71-71, Seo Ji-Hyun (KOR) 69-74-68, Wanchana Poruangrong (THA) 67-74-70, Liu Ying (CHN) 74-71-66
212 — Pavarisa Yoktuan (THA) 75-72-65,
Wannasiri Sirisampant (THA) 70-72-70 213 — Renuka Suksukont (THA) 76-67-70, Hwang Ye-Nah (KOR) 68-70-75