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Cancer survivor Lee wins in windy Weihai

Xinhua, July 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

South Korea's Lee Min-young held it together under windy conditions at the Kumho Tire Ladies Open on Sunday in closing with a final-round 68 to claim her fourth career victory, one stroke ahead of a hard-charging Feng Shanshan (71) of China.

The fifth-year pro finished on 13-under 203 at the 500,000,000 won (US$435,000) tournament, a co-sponsored event between the China LPGA Tour and the Korea LPGA Tour (KLPGA). The victory was worth 100,000,000 won (US$87,000).

South Korean Park You-na (68) was third at four strokes back, while world No. 10 Jang Ha-na, the overnight leader and the highest-ranked player in the field, blew up to a 77 to finish fourth at six shots off the pace.

Lee, a 24-year-old who has posted four top 10s on the KLPGA so far this year, earned her first victory since 2014 on the strength of a strong front nine where she posted four birdies. On the back nine, she played even-par golf with two birdies and two bogeys.

"It's my first win overseas, I made it at such a beautiful golf course. I was over the moon. I didn't see the leaderboard until the last hole. At that time I found that I was leading by two or three shots. I feel a little bit excited," she said.

The victory was especially sweet for Lee as it was her first since coming back from an operation for kidney cancer in the winter of 2014. Last year, she posted 11 top-10 finishes on the KLPGA Tour.

"You know, I found that I was strong than before. I was better at body management. I changed my mindset. I came to China and found a lot of nice food and the bus is really cheap here. You can go anywhere with 1 yuan, so I am happy here looking around and exploring.

"Every hole here (at Weihai Point) is a great challenge. You can say it's terrifying each hole, so when I was off the tee I just try my best to navigate the winding fairways. I just looked at the mountains and sea and it was inspiring."

Feng, the world No. 12, ran out of holes and had to settle for runner-up at the Yantai-area tournament for a second straight year. After starting the day one shot off the lead, the Guangdong native closed with an adventurous round that included a double bogey, two bogeys and five birdies, including on the final two holes to make it close.

"Now I'm happy. I saw the leaderboard at the 16th hole and that I was three shots behind. I told myself that I needed to make three birdies to catch up with her (Lee). I made two birdies. It is a good finish," said the 26-year-old who is heading to California to play in next week's US Women's Open. "I feel a little disappointed, but she (Lee) played great, today is her day."

Du Mohan finished the top amateur as the teenager was 14 shots off the mark in equal 20th after struggling to a closing 77 and a one-over score.

"This is my first time here, made the cut. It was great," said the 14-year-old Beijinger. "Yes, I didn't play so great the last two days but I'm happy now." Endit