Shanshan Feng claims second straight title with win in Japan
Sunday 6 November 2016 09:01, UK
Shanshan Feng broke away with three straight mid-round birdies and held on to win the TOTO Japan Classic on Sunday for her second straight victory.
The 27-year-old Chinese star closed with a two-under 70 at the Taiheiyo Club's tree-lined Minori Course for a one-stroke victory over South Korea's Ha Na Jang.
After two-putting for birdie on the par-five 17th to take a two-stroke lead, Feng three-putted for bogey on the par-four 18th to finish at 13-under in cool conditions and claim her sixth LPGA Tour title a week after winning in Malaysia.
Jang shot her third straight 68. She won last month in Taiwan - beating Feng by a stroke - for her third victory of the year.
A stroke ahead of three players after parring the first eight holes, Feng stretched her advantage to four with the birdie spree. She started the run with an eight-foot putt on the ninth, made a 25-footer on the 10th and a six-footer on the 11th.
Japan's Kotone Hori (68) tied for third at 10-under with defending champion Sun-Ju Ahn (70), So Yeon Ryu(68) and Soo-Yun Kang (71). Suzann Pettersen had a 72 in the final group to finish at nine-under.
Jutanugarn missed a chance to wrap up the LPGA Tour player of the year award with a victory, shooting a 74 to drop into a tie for 10th at eight-under. The Thai star leads the tour with five victories this season.
