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Choi keeps Koreans on top at China Open

By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-22 11:22

XIAMEN, Fujian province: South Korean teenager Choi Hye-yong wrapped up a sensational year by winning the Orient China Ladies Open yesterday in Xiamen, in southeast China's Fujian province.

The 2008 Korean LPGA rookie of the year shot a final round three-under-par 69 to finish at 11-under 205 and earn herself the winner's check of $45,000 at the Orient Xiamen Golf and Country Club.

With Choi and her compatriots occupying eight places in the top ten rankings, Koreans have now dominated China's national women's championship for three straight years. The tournament is co-sanctioned by the China Golf Association and the Korea LPGA.

Seo Hee-kyung was three shots off the pace to finish second and Jung Hye-jin ended a further two shots back to claim third place.

It was Choi's second victory in her first year as a pro following her triumph at the MBC Tour Lottemart Open in June. The 18-year-old prodigy scored 12 top-10 finishes this season on the KLPGA tour to rank fourth in the Order of Merit.

She said her success in China would serve as a dividend-paying confidence booster.

"It's a big win at the end of 2008 as well as a great start for the 2009 season. I had so many second-place finishes in 2008 but I believe I will become more mature and pick up more titles next year," she said.

Meanwhile, local favorite and US LPGA Tour regular Feng Shanshan failed in her bid to see off the Koreans but still squeezed into fifth place after shooting a total of four-under 212.

Despite struggling with her form throughout, she bested all other Chinese entrants and showed her potential with a solid final-round score of 68.

"The greens are not that tough but the pin positions are difficult and that makes it harder," said Feng, who carded a disappointing 73 on Friday. "Because I haven't played a tournament in a month I'm not really in good shape. That's why I had a bad opening round. But I felt much better in the following two days so it's still a good result for me."

The 19-year-old enjoyed a successful debut in the United States this year with five top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour to rank 36th in the Order of Merit.