Na Yeon Choi capped her outstanding this year LPGA campaign with a two-stroke victory over fellow South Korean So Yeon Ryu Sunday in the US$1.5 million season-ending Titleholders.
Choi countered a double-bogey at the third with an eagle at the par-five fifth. She added three more birdies - the last of them at the par-four 16th, for a two-under par 70 and a 72-hole total of 14-under 274.
Her second victory of the year, after a triumph in the US Women’s Open, was worth US$500,000 and took her total prize money for the campaign to US$1.9 million.
“I’m really happy with how I played this season,” said the 25-year-old Choi. “I won my first major and even this tournament is very big for me.”
Ryu, who had already locked up Rookie of the Year honours, fell out of a tie for the lead with a three-putt bogey on the par-five 14th. She settled for a 70 for 276.
“My putting wasn’t really great,” Ryu said. “Na Yeon is a great player, and I’m just a rookie, just starting this season. It was quite tough. Na Yeon was great.”
American Brittany Lincicome also signed for a 70 at TwinEagles for sole possession of third place on 277. Australian Karrie Webb posted a 69 for 278, with Ai Miyazato of Japan rounding out the top five after a 74 for 279.