Yupaporn Kawinpakorn wins LPGT Summit crown

LIPA CITY, Philippines — Threatened by an amateur after nine holes, Yupaporn Kawinpakorn turned in a kind of finish that wins big-time golf tournaments – an eagle-spiked 32 – as she ran away with The Women’s Championship crown with a closing 67 yesterday at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club here.

Lois Kaye Go took the cudgels for the embattled local pros and pulled to within one in a flight ahead with a flawless 34 at the front and kept an impressive bogey-free round of 68. But it was not enough to stop Kawinpakorn, who eagled the par-5 14th and birdied Nos. 11 and 15 to highlight her scorching finish that netted her a three-stroke romp over Go and fellow Thai Chonlada Chayanun on a 54-hole total of 10-under 206.

She hit the sack early Thursday and credited her clutch eagle for the win.

“I’ve been grinding it out the last seven weeks so it was a much-needed rest. I felt really good when I woke up and had a lot of energy,” said Kawinpakorn, who hacked a solid 6-iron second shot from 170 yards on No. 14 and drilled in the putt from 16 feet for eagle and a three-shot cushion against Go, who parred the par-5 hole.

“There was a bit of wind so I picked my 6-iron to do the trick,” said Kawinpakorn, who pocketed P350,000 for her feat, her second straight after posting a two-shot win in the China LPGT Tour in Guangdong last Saturday.

It was also her second triumph on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour this year after the ace shotmaker from Samut Prakan Province beat Chihiro Ikeda by three at Beverly Place in Pampanga last January.

Despite her failed title bid, Go, 19,  handily won the low amateur honors with a joint runner-up finish with Chayanun, who shot a 69, at 209.

Chayanun pocketed P185,000.