Van Dam gets first LET title in Xiamen Open
Xinhua, October 16, 2016 Adjust font size:
Anne Van Dam birdied two of the last three holes to win the Xiamen International Ladies Open here on Sunday for a one-stroke victory over China's Shi Yuting in Fujian province.
As Van Dam closed with a 68 for a 17-under 271 score to claim her first Ladies European Tour title, the 18-year-old Shi, who led the China LPGA Tour co-sponsored tournament in first and second round, faltered to a bogey-five on the final hole for a 69, missing an opportunity to force a playoff. Thailand's Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras (69) finished third, three shots off the pace.
Van Dam, who was tied with Shi going into the day at 13-under, carded a round that featured three birdies, including two consecutive starting from the 16th hole, an eagle three at the par-five fourth and a bogey five at the sixth hole.
"I'm really happy. This is what you practice for your whole life. To do it actually my first time being in contention is absolutely crazy," said Van Dam who paid tribute to playing partner Shi who was leading by one stroke with three holes to go.
"I knew from yesterday she's a very solid player, not many emotions. I knew it was tough going to beat her, and she had all the crowd behind her. But the only thing I could do was try to play my best every single shot and I got off to a very good start so that was really nice," said the 21-year-old golfer.
Shi, who was flawless through 53 holes, picked inopportune times to drop shots during the tournament as two of her three bogeys this week came on the last hole of the third and fourth rounds. Her round today included five birdies and two bogeys.
The Beijing teenager put down her poor showing on the final hole to bad luck.
"My first shot went wrong and my ball hit a tree and bounced back some 30 yards. It's bad luck. The lie is not good and I can't hit my approach shot with a three-wood." Shi said.
"I must say I tried my best with every single shot at the last hole, but it didn't work out. I am happy with my mental game for the whole day. I worried about nobody and really played my own game. I think I played to my standard." Endit