Guangzhou, China: Led by Liu Yujie, China’s top amateurs once more outgunned their professional rivals with stunning performances at the CLPG Tour’s Jackfish Guangdong Women’s Open.
Beijing teenager Liu closed with an even-par 72 for a 54-hole aggregate of nine-under 207, posting a five-stroke victory at Huamei Luhu Golf and Country Club, her first victory against a pro field.
Fellow amateur standouts Xu Ying, Ren Yijia and Zhou Shiyuan underlined China’s strength in depth in the amateur ranks, finishing second, joint fourth and seventh respectively.
Liu’s victory was the fourth straight win by an amateur on the CLPG Tour, setting a new record with four different champions.
Going into the final round with a two-stroke lead, Liu, 109th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), played conservatively, her round featuring three birdies, one bogey and a double-bogey seven at the 499-yard penultimate hole where her second shot went out of bounds.
“Even if you post a relatively poor score, as long as you win it’s a good result. Today, victory was the only objective,” said 15-year-old Liu, who had her father, former table tennis world champion and Olympic gold medallist Liu Guoliang, in attendance to witness her breakthrough win.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. Being able to share it with my dad and my whole family makes me incredibly happy,” said Liu, whose other highlights this year include a runner-up finish at The Royal Junior, seventh at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) and reaching the last 16 at the US Girls’ Junior Championship.
Xu, the number two ranted China amateur at 33rd in the WAGR, signed off with a three-under 69 for her best round of the week. Thai pro Kan Bunnabodee, a former WAAP runner-up, shot 73 to finish third, six shots off the winning score but good enough to claim the RMB105,000 winner’s purse.
Hong Kong’s Sophie Han (70) and Dalian native Ren Yijia (71) were equal fourth with pro Lin Xin’en (70). Zhou Shiyuan, the country’s top amateur, was seventh after a 73. Ren, Zhou and Han were members of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation’s triumphant team in the Solheim Cup-style Patsy Hankins Trophy against the European Golf Association in the United Arab Emirates in January.
Xu, a two-time winner on the CLPG Tour this season, admitted she was disappointed by her play this week despite a birdie-birdie finish that gave her runner-up honours. Her round also included three other birdies and two bogeys.
“I lost too many strokes on the greens this week, missing several short putts that I normally wouldn’t have any trouble with. I gave it my all. I really feel like I left everything out there,” said the 16-year-old from Zhuhai.
She added: “Liu Yujie was fantastic. On such a demanding course she remained incredibly steady and posted such a strong score. That’s really impressive. Everyone’s form varies from tournament to tournament, and course compatibility differs too. Seeing Yujie play so well is definitely an inspiration for all of us. We all strive to measure up to those who perform at their best.”
