Runaway win for Yang in Thailand, Park returns and Matthew bounces back
Korea posted a 1-2-3 as Amy Yang ran away with the Thailand LPGA tournament by five shots and a record 22-under aggregate. Yang played five holes of her third round, picked up one more shot to lead by five, and then posted a bogey-free 68.
The lead was down to three on occasions but birdies at 15, where she drove the green, and 18 eased the now three-time winner further clear – her compatriots So Yeon Ryu and Sei Young Kim filled the next spots. The previous tournament best was 21 under by Suzann Pettersen in 2007 and Ai Miyazato in 2010.
”I am beyond happy, I had so many early wakeup calls this week,” said Yang, who also played 31 holes on Saturday. ”I had to stay patient out there.”
ICYMI: @hondalpgath final round highlights where Amy Yang set a tournament record with a 22-under par winning score. pic.twitter.com/CiWjS5hYVr
— LPGA (@LPGA) February 26, 2017
Lexi Thompson tied for fourth, albeit nine back, after a best-of-the day 67. England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff had a top 10 while Charley Hull was T23.
Gold medal winner Inbee Park was making her first appearance since Rio and she finished at a respectable -5 and reported that her thumb problem wasn’t a concern.
“I feel pretty good,” Park said. “That’s really the most important thing. I’m ready to play now. Four rounds been pretty similar. Ball striking was pretty good. Just around the greens wasn’t getting the feel yet. And the putting was a little bit disappointing this week.”
The strangest week belonged to Scotland’s Catriona Matthew who opened with a 12-over 84 and followed that with rounds of 66-67-71.
