Budsabakorn cool under pressure at CTBC Ladies Open

Thailand's Budsabakorn Sukapan captured her second China LPGA Tour victory of the year in dramatic fashion on Saturday when the rookie pro closed with 67 to overtake compatriot Pavarisa Yoktuan (69) to win the CTBC Ladies Open by one shot.

Holding a two-stroke lead going into the final hole, the 18-year-old Budsabakorn fired her approach into to some rocks behind the green and was assessed a one-stroke penalty. As playing partner Pavarisa made a 45-foot putt for birdie, Budsabakorn showed her mettle when she chipped to within tap-in range from 20 yards out to preserve the win.

The Bangkok native finished at 16-under 200 at Orient (Taipei) Golf and Country Club, a co-sponsored event with the LPGA of Taiwan Tour.

"So very happy, my second championship," said Budasbakorn with a relieved laugh, referring to her Srixon XXIO Ladies Open win in May. "I just stayed on my game. I know Pavarisa has a lot of experience. I just tried my best and enjoyed playing with her. We talked every hole."

Chinese teenager Shi Yuting (66) was equal third with Chinese Taipei's Hsu Wei-ling (66), the US LPGA Tour regular, at two shots off the pace. Rookie Cheng Ssu-chia of Chinese Taipei shot her third consecutive round of 68 to finish two shots further back in fifth.

Starting the day one stroke behind overnight leader Pavarisa, Budsabakorn served notice immediately that she was gunning for victory. Firing an eagle three on the 500-yard opening hole, as Pavarisa recorded birdie, the two were deadlocked at 13-under.

With both players tied at 16-under through 11 holes after a seesaw battle, Budsabakorn, who led Thailand to the gold medal at last year's Asian Games, took the lead for good when she had a birdie at the 12th hole. Pavarisa would then stumble with bogeys at the 16th and 17th holes to set up the thrilling final.

On the 500-yard 18th hole, Budsabakorn's 220-yard approach shot went out of bounds into the rocks.

"Every day it was two on and just play. I thought just get on the green and two putt. But the wind was blowing and my swing was not good," she said. "When I got assessed the penalty, I thought this wasn't too bad as I was getting a drop and I could chip on.

"I wasn't thinking playoff. It wasn't depending on win or lose, it was all about who was playing the best."

Pavarisa, winner of the Wuhan Challenge last year, said her chance to be in a playoff quickly disappeared when she saw Budsabakorn chip to within tap-in distance on the 18th.

"I knew then that it was going to be her day," said the 21-year-old Nakhon Si Thammarat native. "It's great to still get birdie when you are in that situation. It was just a great finish."

With Budsabakorn four-under through the first four holes, Pavarisa said she knew could only try her best today. "She played so good today. I just tried to keep going. When it is not your day, you're going to know it. You are going to miss just a little bit. It's OK, I can accept it."

Hsu, a rookie pro on the US LPGA Tour, came home for the tournament after a strong season stateside where she had earned US$226,176 to sit 59th on the money list and successfully retain her playing card for next year.

Her six-under round included two eagle threes.

"The only disappointment was the double-bogey six [at the sixth hole]. I'm happy with the two eagles. That's the first time I have ever done that in a round," said the 21-year-old. "When the winner hit into the hazard I got excited, thinking maybe there could be a playoff for all of us."

Prima Thammaraks got a hole-in-one on the 141-yard No. 7 hole when the Thai's perfect shot found the cup with an eight-iron.

Chinese Taipei's Yu Han-hsuan (67) was the top amateur at four-under. Endi