Supamas Sangchan Takes EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open 2017 Title

Tiffany Chan cards courageous final round to finish in tied-13th.

Supamas Sangchan of Thailand

HONG KONG, 11 JUNE 2017, (HK Golfer News Wire) - Supamas Sangchan of Thailand has claimed her third professional tour title after easing to victory at the 2017 EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open.

The 21-year-old started the final day tied at the top with Yu Pei-lin but the player from Chinese Taipei faded to a three-over-par for the day to extinguish her chances of winning. Supamas never lost her lead, and despite a nervy finish with at both the 16th and 18th, she still finished with a 10-under-par total 206 to claim the US$22,500 (HK$175,500) first prize.

Supamas’ fellow countrywoman Renuka Suksukont and Hsieh Yu-ling of Chinese Taipei both carded solid rounds of five and four-under-par to end their campaigns at nine-under, a shot off the pace to take the runner-up spots.

The Bangkok based champion was flawless in the first two days, carding a total of nine birdies without a single blemish in 36 holes. Her rivals might have thought they had a chance when she dropped a shot for the first time in hole four but the Thai player quickly dashed any hopes that she might fade with birdies at the sixth, ninth, and tenth. 

The 2017 EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open champion said:

“This is my third year as a professional and my second time competing at the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open. I feel like I am familiar with the course, and as I approached the 18th green I saw such a big crowd, which made be a bit nervous but at the same time very excited. I eventually bogeyed it but so glad it was enough to give me win.”

Defending champion Chan started the day on tied-15th but a tentative start with three bogeys in the first four holes put paid to her chances of retaining the title. However, the 23-year-old showed her grit as she did all week and refused to fade away, clawing back magnificently with birdies at the fifth, sixth, ninth, eleven, and twelve.

Hong Kong’s first golfing Olympian commented:

“To have three bogeys in the first four holes is a little unusual for me for this course. I think I put a little bit of pressure on myself trying to gain some ground early on. Luckily I scored well when I needed to get back on par, which helped a lot. I definitely have a lot to work on but overall, I am pleased with my performance this week, and the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open provided a really good experience for me as I begin my professional career. I am a little bit disappointed but I did the best I could. I hope golf fans enjoyed my performance this week, and I would like to thank them for supporting me all the way through under such hot and humid conditions.”

The three-day 54-hole tournament, which features a prize purse of US$150,000, saw 3,517 spectators over the three days of competition.

"I am pleased with my performance this week," Chan said