Golf: China's Feng surges to victory in Malaysia

Feng Shanshan of China tees off on the 17th hole during the final round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2014 tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 12, 2014. Feng ripped four birdies and an eagle through the
Feng Shanshan of China tees off on the 17th hole during the final round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2014 tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 12, 2014. Feng ripped four birdies and an eagle through the final eight holes to shoot an eight-under 63 and overtake Pornanong Phatlum for victory at the tournament on Sunday. -- PHOTO: AFP

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - China's Feng Shanshan ripped four birdies and an eagle through the final eight holes to shoot an eight-under 63 and overtake Pornanong Phatlum for victory at golf's LPGA Sime Darby Malaysia tournament on Sunday.

The 25-year-old notched a three-stroke win over the Thai, who cooled down the stretch just as she was heating up, giving the 2012 LPGA Championship winner her fourth Tour win.

Feng punctuated her strong finish with an eagle on the par-five 16th hole at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, eventually finishing the tournament at 18-under 266 and taking home the US$300,000 (S$383,000) first prize.

Pornanong began the day with a three-shot lead after the first three rounds on the par-71 course.

But the 24-year-old Thai could manage only a one-under-par 70 on the decisive day, sealing her fate with a double bogey on the par-three 15th hole. She finished at 15-under for the tournament.

Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg also closed strongly, posting a nine-birdie 63 to finish the week at 14-under and in a tie for third with South Koreans Chella Choi and Ryu So Yeon.

Korea's Choi Na Yeon was at 13-under, with compatriot Lee Il Hee a stroke further back.

World No. 1 Stacy Lewis of the United States, who led after the first round, shot a 69 on Sunday, not enough to make up for middle rounds of 71 and 72 on a course that yielded low scores to others.

Lewis finished at seven-under for the US$2 million tournament, which is part of the LPGA's annual multi-event swing through Asia.

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