Park wins Hyundai China Ladies Open crown in seesaw battle

Park Sung-hyun completed a wire-to-wire victory at the Hyundai China Ladies Open on Sunday, marking the 10th consecutive year that a South Korean has won the event.

  The 22-year-old Seoul native closed with a final round 67 over the Mission Hills Haikou Blackstone course on Hainan Island for a score of 17-under 199, two strokes ahead of defending champion Kim Hyo-joo. Park's fourth win of the year earned her 110,000 US dollars.

   Jang Su-yeon (68) finished third at five shots off the pace, while world No. 9 Chun In-gee, the highest ranked player in the field, was a shot further back after a 68.

   Shi Yuting was the top Chinese player as the rookie pro closed with a 70 to finish 12 strokes off the lead in equal 13th in the tournament that marked the final event of the 2015 China LPGA Tour season and the first event of the 2016 LPGA of Korea Tour (KLPGA).

   Park's 17-under score set a tournament record for 54 holes and marked her first victory outside of Korea.

   "This is a good start for the new season. I am happy to get my first win outside of my home country," said a smiling Park, the world No 33. "The KLPGA money title has definitely come into my mind now. I'll do my best next season to make it happen."

   Starting her day in the final group with playing partner Kim, Park stretched her lead to three strokes when she birdied the par-five second hole. After dropping a stroke with a birdie at the next, she could only play par golf through the next nine holes as a determined Kim came on in a bid for her third Hyundai China Ladies Open crown.

   As Park carded a bogey five at the par-four third, Kim birdied the hole for a two-stroke swing. Kim then drew even with a birdie at the par-three fifth hole. With birdies at holes seven, nine and 10 she would move into a three-stroke lead.

   Kim then faltered to a double-bogey six at the par-four 12th to keep one stroke ahead. After both players had birdie fours at the next hole, Park would birdie the 14th to draw even. The par-three 15th hole would prove the difference as Park registered a birdie two, while Kim struggled to a bogey four to fall two shots behind.

   Both players would par the 16th hole before finishing with consecutive birdies in the see-saw battle.

   "I played not well on the front nine. But according to my original plan I just wanted to make even par before the turn and then try to attack and shoot as low as possible. My plan worked perfectly, even though I was three shots behind after 10 holes. To my delight, it's my day in the end," said Park.

   "Kim made a double bogey (at the 12th hole) and opened the door a little. I think it might be my chance. I cannot say this is my A-game even though I shot lower than my goal. Since July, I found out a new putting method and improved a lot."

   An upbeat Kim admitted she made a mistake with her double-bogey six, but said she didn' t feel bad as she also made a lot of birdies to put pressure on Park.

   "My drive (at the 12th hole) went left into the forest and then I hit a provisional ball before I went on the fairway. But I defended very well on that hole and did very well."

   National team player Shi complimented the performances of the top South Koreans and said this was the level that Chinese players needed to rise to if they were to challenge on the world stage.

   "I did many things great, but I would say it is a frustrating performance and I had no breakthrough moment," said the Beijing teenager. "I'll make some adjustments after this week and try to be better at the three TLPGA events (in Taiwan) next month."

   He Muni finished the top amateur as the 16-year-old Chinese player shot her third consecutive round of 71 to tie for 19th place.

   The Mission Hills Haikou Blackstone course is a 6,342-yard, par-72 layout designed by Schmidt-Curley.  Endi