By IANS
Bangkok : India’s Simi Mehra shot a fine three-under 69 to finish among the top 10 at the $120,000 Thailand Ladies Open by two strokes at The Vintage Club here Friday. Simi, a former Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) player, shot rounds of 72, 72 and 69, to finish with a total of three-under 213.
Playing aggressively, Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum swung her way to clinch the winner’s prize by two strokes. She became the first Thai professional to win the title since it started in 1987.
After a shaky start, losing two strokes – one each at the second and fourth hole – Pornanong recovered with birdies on the fifth, seventh and eighth. She started the home stretch by posting four consecutive birdies to take a five-shot lead before giving away three through a double-bogey and a bogey on the 16th and 17th holes.
Australia’s Frances Bondad and Kim Hae-jung of Korea finished joint second with a total of 210. Bondad finished the final round with a five-under 67, while birthday girl Hae-jung missed a chance for a double celebration by ending the final day’s play with a three-under 69.
China’s Ye Liying was the sole player on the fourth place. The 30-year-old said she was not physically fit and the hot weather here bothered her.
Leading results:
208: Pornanong Phatlum (Tha) 65-73-70
210: Bondad Frances (Aus) 72-71-67; Kim Hae-jung (Kor) 72-69
211: Ye Liying (Chn) 71-69-71
212: Nontaya Srisawang (Tha) 71-73-68; Porani Chutichai (Tha) 71-73-68; Kim Hye- youn (Kor) 71-72-69; Park Mi-ji (Kor) 69-71-72
213: Smii Mehra (Ind) 72-72-69; Rungthiwa Pangjan (Tha) 75-69-69; Kim Bo-mi (Kor) 72-71-70.
214: Yan Panpan (Chn) 74-68-72; Park Cho-hee (Kor) 72-73-69; Nam Min-ji (Kor) 68-74-72; Wang Chun (Chn) 70-71-73; Lee Il-hee (Kor) 68-72-74