Impeccable Angelina putts to perfection

Agency :
Angelina Ye Lei captured her first title as a professional in impressive fashion on Thursday when she out-dueled Chinese amateur Wang Zixuan down the stretch to win the Orient Women’s China Open by two strokes in Fujian province.

With the 22-year-old rookie pro holding a one-stroke lead over Beijing teenager Wang going into the final round at Orient (Xiamen) Golf and Country Club, Ye closed with a five-under 67 to Wang’s 68 to put her name on the trophy at the 13th national championship.

The win was worth 75,000 yuan (around $10,000) to Ye who finished with a 54-hole score of 14-under 202. She also earned six world ranking points for her victory at the China LPGA Tour’s flagship event.

I have been a pro for five months. I just played six or seven events as a pro. I must say that this win is quick. But my CLPGA debut was 10 years ago when I was 12 years old. In that case, it’s also a long time.

“The most difficult putt was the last putt from three feet (almost a meter).

I knew that I had a two-shot lead, but I really wanted to end the event without any bogey. To my great relief, I made it perfect and earned my maiden victory,” said Shanghai native Ye after becoming the first player in CLPGA Tour history to win a tournament without dropping a shot.

“I have been a pro for five months. I just played six or seven events as a pro. I must say that this win is quick. But my CLPGA debut was 10 years ago when I was 12 years old. In that case, it’s also a long time.”

China’s Michelle Zhang Yunxuan closed with a 69 to finish three shots back in third, one shot ahead of fellow rookie pro Fiona Xu (67) of New Zealand. Thai veteran Onkanok Soisuwan (66) was fifth, five strokes off the pace.

In their final-round duel, Wang struck first when she sank a six-foot downhill putt at the second hole for birdie to draw even. At the next hole, Ye answered with a birdie to go one shot ahead.

Wang then birdied the par-five fifth before both players picked up a shot on the seventh to make the turn deadlocked at 11-under.