By Staff
The Associated Press
Shanshan Feng
BEIJING (AP) — China’s Shanshan Feng eagled the par-5 18th hole after her second shot approach hit the pin for a 68 Oct. 6 and a one-stroke victory in the smog-affected Reignwood Classic, the LPGA’s first tournament in Beijing.
American Stacy Lewis birdied four of her first six holes to quickly catch overnight leader Feng and led for most of the final round by one stroke before the Chinese golfer thrilled the local gallery with her late eagle after Lewis had putted out with a par.
It was Feng’s second career LPGA Tour victory — she also won last year’s Wegmans LPGA Championship to become China’s first major winner. She’s had an outstanding 2013, making 14 cuts in 15 tournaments with six other top 10 finishes and earning $800,000.
Feng finished with a 26-under total of 266 on the par-73 Pine Valley Golf Club. Lewis also shot a final-round 68.
China’s Shanshan Feng, right, and United States’ Stacy Lewis, left, play on the 18th green during the final round of the Reignwood LPGA Classic golf tournament at Pine Valley Golf Club on the outskirts of Beijing, China, Oct. 6, 2013. (Photo by Alexander F. Yuan/AP)
No. 1-ranked Inbee Park of South Korea finished third, also after a 68 Oct. 6, five strokes behind Feng. Australian veteran Karrie Webb shot 67 and was fourth, another stroke behind.
Feng said that when she was going up the 18th, she thought Lewis would go for the green.
“So I thought maybe she’s giving me a chance for playing off,’’ Feng said. “I never thought I would shoot the second shot so close that I could make eagle.”
Her approach to the green was on line for the pin, causing the gallery to erupt in cheers when the ball hit the flag and bounded several feet away.
“Suddenly I heard the noise, the crowd was excited, so I thought it must be good,” she said.
Despite her first win being a major, Feng said her win in Beijing was as important.
“I would say I’m as happy as when I won last year,” she said. “It was our first time in Beijing, the tournament sponsor is also my sponsor. So I really wanted to do well to make them look good. I also broke my lowest score for four rounds, and gave it my best.”
For most of the tournament, the players couldn’t escape the capital’s notorious pollution — there was another smog delay of nearly three hours before the final round started . Germany’s Sandra Gal was one of several players wearing surgical-style masks.
Six expressways were closed in the city due to reduced visibility and the U.S. Embassy in Beijing issued a warning that hazardous air quality readings meant American citizens should
“avoid all physical activities outdoors.”
American Jessica Korda, who led after the second round, had an even-par 74 Oct 6 after a 76 the day before dropped her from the leaderboard. She finished the tournament in a tie for 15th, 16 strokes behind Feng. (end)