BANGKOK, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- An eagle three on the 17th hole proved the difference for Saranporn Langkulgasettrin on Friday as the Thai teen sensation closed with a 71 to win the PTT Thailand LPGA Masters by one stroke for her sixth title of the year.
The 17-year-old finished on five-under 211 at the 4 million baht tournament, an event tri-sanctioned by the China, Australian and Thai LPGAs. The victory was worth 600,000 baht and follows earlier wins on China LPGA tour and two titles on the Thai domestic tour.
With a one-stroke lead going into the final hole, the Phuket native, said she just wanted to close the deal. "At the last hole, I am thinking 'I am not going to miss any shot' because I am really tired and don't want to go to a play-off."
In a Thai-dominated leaderboard at Panya Indra Golf Club, Budsabakorn Sukapan (68), Parinda Phokan (71) and Ploychompoo Wirairungruen (72) were equal runners-up. Compatriots Renuka Suksukont (71) and PK Kongkraphan (72) were equal fifth with Chinese Taipei's Chen Yu-ju (73) at two shots back.
After starting the day two shots off the lead, Saranporn, the first-round leader, made birdie on the first hole to get to five under before registering four bogeys and another birdie to make the turn at 38. As the lead changed hands several times between Ploychompoo and Budsabakorn, Saranporn started her move up the leaderboard with a birdie at the 497-yard par-five 12th hole to get to three under.
Playing conservative golf in the hot and windy conditions, Saranporn would then par the next four holes before the penultimate hole, a 500-yard par five.
"I talked to my dad (caddy) before the tee off. He said if I got eagle on this one there's going to be a big change today," she said. "I hit to the fairway and for the second shot I used seven-iron because it was downwind. The ball got on the green about 13 feet from the hole and from left to right line. My dad said if I made this I would really change Thailand. He said 'let's do it, eagle!' and then I made it."
Saranporn said she struggled on the front nine as she didn't hit according to her plan.
"I missed a lot of hits. I put a lot pressure on myself at the first nine. At the back nine, I saw the scoreboard, I am far away from the leader. I feel more relaxed and focused on the game."
Overnight leader Chatprapa Siriprakob finished equal eighth after stumbling to a 76, while Chinese Zhang Yunjie (70) was equal 13th, five shots off the winning score.
Panya Indra Golf Club is a 6,536-yard, par-72 layout (Palm and Garden composite course) designed by Ronald Fream.
PTT Thailand LPGA Masters third round leading scores (China unless stated):
211 - Saranporn Langkulgasettrin (Thailand) 68-72-71
212 - Budsabakorn Sukapan (Thailand) 75-69-68, Parinda Phokan (Thailand) 70-71-71, Ploychompoo Wirairungruen (Thailand) 72-68-72
213 - Renuka Suksukont (Thailand) 70-72-71, PK Kongkraphan (Thailand) 70-71-72, Chen Yu-ju (Chinese Taipei) 69-71-73
214 - Pajaree Anannarukarn (Thailand) 75-69-70, Aunchisa Utama (Thailand) 73-70-71, Chatprapa Siriprakob (Thailand) 70-68-76
215 - Jang So-young (South Korea) 72-73-70, Kanyalak Preedasuttijit (Thailand) 71-73-71
216 - Yu Pei-lin (Chinese Taipei) 76-70-70, Zhang Yunjie 77-69-70, Arpichaya Yubol (Thailand) 74-71-71, Cathryn Bristow (New Zealand) 71-73-72, Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro (Thailand) 75-69-70-72
217 - Thailandnuttra Boonraksasat (Thailand) 73-73-71, Guo Caizhu 71-76-70, Pannarat Thailandnapolboonyaras (Thailand) 72-73-72
218 - Lee Chia-pei (Chinese Taipei) 72-72-74, Luo Ying 77-72-69
219 - Sarah Kemp (Australia) 75-73-71, Amanda Tan (Singapore) 74-74-71, Li Jiayun 70-72-77, Pinrath Loomboonruang (Thailand) 73-73-73, Nemittra Juntanaket (Thailand) 70-73-76, Ainil Bakar (Malaysia) 69-73-77
