Xiamen, Fujian Province, China: Zhou Shiyuan, China’s top female amateur, carded a final round four-under-par 68 to win the Zhu Chun Straits Cup Women’s Open, her third CLPG Tour title.
Starting the last day with a one-stroke lead at Orient (Xiamen) Golf and Country Club, the Chongqing teenager, 43rd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, closed with a bogey-free round to finish on 10-under 206.
At 15 years, five months and 14 days old, Zhou becomes the youngest person to win three times on the CLPG Tour.
She broke the previous record set by Yin Xiaowen who was 16 years, five months and 15 days old when she won the Wuhuanxing Women’s Challenge on May 22, 2021.
“Many people have congratulated me, saying that winning three times is incredible and that I have a bright future. But I feel like I’m still the same person. Nothing has changed,” said Zhou, a member of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation team that defeat Europe to win the Solheim Cup-style Patsy Hankins Trophy in the United Arab Emirates in January.
“Even though I broke Yin Xiaowen’s record I don’t think much of it. Yin is an outstanding player who’s already competing on the US LPGA. Though I don’t know her well, I respect her greatly,” added Zhou.
Jeong Seul-gi finished second, two shots behind Zhou. However, the Korean veteran claimed the RMB75,000 winner’s purse after snaring her fifth birdie of the day at the last hole to finish with a 67, one shot ahead of Chinese amateur Wang Xinyu (65).
Thailand's Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong (70) was fourth, four shots back, at the tournament which featured a field predominantly made up of CLPG Tour and Taiwan LPGA Tour players. The event was created to promote ‘friendship’ across the strait.
Zhou, who last year won in Chongqing and Jiangsu, opened with consecutive birdies to get to eight-under overall. She picked up another stroke at the 405-yard sixth before making her last birdie at the 375-yard 10th. She parred the final eight holes.
Zhou, who is considering turning pro at the end of the year, said: “I felt tense throughout. My form in the first half of the year wasn’t great, especially in handling small details. The pressure was real in this event because the Thai players were chasing me hard.
“I’ll assess my form first (before turning pro). I hope to play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur again. This year’s tournament left me with regrets. I missed the cut. Next time, I want to make it to the weekend and compete alongside the world’s top amateurs. I want to learn from them.”
Jeong, who won a Monday qualifier for a second time this year to get into the tournament, started the final round three shots off the lead and came out firing with birdies on the first three holes. She picked up another shot at the 372-yard ninth hole before sinking a 25-foot birdie putt at the last to secure the runner-up finish.
“I felt I had a chance to win. Lots of great shots today, but I needed more birdies,” said the former Korean LPGA Tour regular. “But it’s great for me. It’s a good finish. I’m not disappointed. I gave it my best effort.”
Guangdong-based Wang secured a top-five finish for the third consecutive tournament with a scorching final round featuring an eagle three at the 488-yard second hole where her approach shot from 114 yards out found the cup. Five birdies followed.
“I’m very pleased with this finish, especially since I played the final 36 holes without a single bogey. My game was solid overall. Both my iron play and putting were on point,” said the 17-year-old Hunan native who matched her personal best lowest score.
“My goal is to earn my professional status by year’s end. For the second half of the season, I’m aiming for a tournament victory. That way I can bypass the qualifying school process.”
Making her CLPG debut, Chinese Taipei’s rookie pro Wu Chun-wei, winner of the 2024 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, signed off with a 79 to finish 58th.
