China’s Feng Shanshan shoots 68 to claim her eighth LPGA title in Japan

China’s Feng Shanshan carded a final-round four-under par 68 to defend her Japan Classic crown and take her eighth LPGA title with a two-stroke win over Ai Suzuki on Sunday.

Feng became the first player on the LPGA Tour to defend a title this season with a total of 19-under par 197 at the Taiheyo Club’s Minori Course in Ibaraki.

“That was my goal, before I started the week, to defend my title,” said Feng.

“My caddie told me: ‘This week, you’re going to be first. Two weeks ago, you finished third. Last week, you finished second, so you know what comes after that’.”

Feng held a two-shot lead over Japan’s Suzuki going into the final round but had a rollercoaster start, with two bogeys and two birdies in the first four holes.

The Chinese Olympic bronze medallist tucked away her first par at the fifth and from then on played blemish-free golf.