PATTAYA, Thailand, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Japan’s Ai Miyazato fired a dazzling nine-under-par 63 in the final round to win the season-opening Honda PTT LPGA Thailand on Sunday.
The 24-year-old chipped in for a birdie on the 18th for a one-shot victory over Norwegian Suzann Pettersen in the Thai resort of Pattaya.
Miyazato finished on 21-under 267 to claim her second LPGA Tour win after winning last year’s Evian Masters.
“I didn’t think I could win or what score I need to shoot,” Miyazato told reporters. “I was concentrating on playing well all day and it was my lucky day. Everything went right.”
Pettersen paid tribute to Miyazato.
“There’s nothing I can do when Ai shoots nine-under,” she said. “I played pretty good golf and I don’t waste energy thinking why I didn’t win.”
Miyazato has also racked up 15 victories on the Japanese women’s tour.
“There were a lot of pressure situations today, but I controlled myself really well,” she said after pocketing the first prize of $195,000. “I tried to make each shot count.”
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng (69) finished third, six shots behind Miyazato at 15 under.
Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa, the defending Pattaya champion, closed with a 72 to tie for 18th at six under, while Michelle Wie produced a 69 for a share of 22nd at five under.
(Reporting by Alastair Himmer in Tokyo. Editing by John Mehaffey. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf '10