Favourite Yani retains Honda LPGA title

CHONBURI: Top-ranked Tseng Yani successfully defended her Honda LPGA Thailand title for her 13th LPGA Tour victory, with birdies on the final two holes yesterday to hold off playing partner Ai Miyazato by a stroke.

The 23-year-old Taiwanese star shot a 6under 66 to finish at 19-under 269 on the Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course. She opened with a 73, then shot consecutive 65s to enter the final round a shot behind Miyazato.

Miyazato, the Japanese player who won the 2010 tournament, closed with a 68. She also birdied the par-4 17th and par-5 18th.

South Korea’s Shin Jiyai, tied for the lead with Yani after a birdie of her own on 17, had a 67 to finish third at 17 under.