GUANGZHOU, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A day after setting two China LPGA Tour records on the strength of eight birdies over the back nine, Chen Yu-ju of Chinese Taipei cruised to her first professional win on Saturday with a four shot victory at the CTBC Ladies Classic.
The 20-year-old Chen closed with a round of 71 to finish on eight-under 208 at Guangdong Dragon Lake Golf Club.
Starting the day with a three stroke lead, Chen got to eight-under when she made a birdie four at the 515-yard opening hole. After a bogey four at the 143-yard seventh hole, she then rebounded for a birdie at the next, a 513-yard par five, to make the turn at one-under 35.
After shooting a tour record eight-under 28 on the back nine on Friday, a performance that included seven straight birdies from the 12th hole, Chen could only shoot nine consecutive pars on Saturday.
"During the practice round I was thinking it's so hard to get under par. These three days are totally better than I expected. I am very excited now," she said.
"This is my second event of 2018, I am satisfied with my performance at the beginning of this new season," said Chen who turned pro in 2014. "I like the feeling in a competition, playing with golfers from different countries and regions and knowing the different cultures. The prize money I will save it first, maybe I will use it for travelling to some events or training."
The Thai duo of Supamas Sangchan (69) and Parinda Phokan (72) finished equal runner-up. China's Zhang Jienalin (70) finished at five-shot back in equal fourth, tied with Chinese Taipei amateur Hsuan Chen (70) and Thailand's Pavarisa Yoktuan (70).
Zhang, a 21-year-old from Henan province, got her second consecutive top-10 finish in as many weeks when she closed with a round that featured three birdies and a bogey five at the last.
"This is my best finish but not my best performance, I could be better," said the modest Zhang. "I will practice more with short clubs and improve my mental outlook."
