Kawinpakorn claims first CLPGA victory

ZHUHAI, China – Former Kansas all-American Yupaporn Kawinpakorn earned her first win on the China LPGA Tour Saturday with a two-stroke victory in the Zhuhai Heritage at the Zhuhai Golden Gulf Golf Club.
 
Kawinpakorn finished the event at even par after posting a 1-over 73 in the first round, a 2-under 70 in the second and ending with a 1-over 73. She went into the final round with a two-shot lead and did just enough to maintain her cushion. Her round included five birdies, including three-straight starting from the 142-yard eighth hole, three bogeys and two double bogeys.
 
“It’s so great to get my first CLPGA Tour win,” Kawinpakorn said. “This is my first year playing and I’ve been missing cuts from the beginning of this year, four events continuously. I was struggling with my ball striking and I couldn’t help hitting the ball into the hazard. Now I have got everything together, it’s come along pretty good.
 
“I spent a lot of time looking at what I could have done better with all the cuts I missed. I went back to the problems to see what I can do better. I talked to my coach and kept believing in myself. If I have won tournaments before I think I can do it again.”
 
The victory was Kawinpakorn’s sixth as a professional and second this year. In January, she won an event on the Ladies Philippines Golf Tour, while in 2017 she won four times on the National Women’s Golf Association Tour in Florida.
 
“My putts were good (Saturday) and I made several long ones,” Kawinpakorn said. “My tee shots were not as good as (Friday).”
 
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