Ariya Jutanugarn fired a 9-under 63, then waited out a thunderstorm to claim the title by one stroke Sunday at the Honda LPGA Thailand.
Jutanugarn became the first Thai woman to win the tournament on home soil. It was her 11th time playing in the tournament in Chonburi, dating back to 2007 when she became the youngest player to qualify for an LPGA event at age 11.
On Sunday, Jutanugarn started the day five strokes off the lead, but picked up six birdies on the front nine and three more on the back to go into the clubhouse at 22-under.
Jutanugarn credited her mental coaches Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott with motivating her to her 11th career title and first since July 2018.
"Today is Pia's birthday, and I talked to them and I'm like, 'You know, I hit my iron like everywhere. I miss the putt. I mean, I feel like so tough for me. What should I do?' " Jutanugarn recalled. "They're just like, 'How about you just go out, have good commitment, and not thinking about the outcome. So can you do that for my birthday present?' OK, I will try harder."
Fellow Thai Atthaya Thitikul, 18, remained on the course, and after a one-hour weather delay, still had a chance to catch or beat Jutanugarn on the 18th hole.
Trailing by one, Thitikul was only able to manage a par on No. 18 after a bogey on No. 17 and finished one stroke back alone in second place.
Patty Tavatanakit, another Thai player who led by one coming into Sunday's final round, shot her second consecutive 2-under 70 to finish in a four-way tie for third.
Tavatanakit was seeking her second victory of the season, having won the ANA Inspiration last month in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Angel Yin of the United States and South Korea's So Yeon Ryu and Amy Yang, the defending champ, were the other third-place finishers.
May 10, 2021 at 03:54AM
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Ariya Jutanugarn shoots 63 to win elusive Honda title - The Dickinson Press
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