Michelle Zhang Yunxuan celebrated a momentous achievement in her golfing career by winning the China Golf Association Ladies Championship in Hainan Province. This victory, coinciding closely with her 19th birthday, marks her first professional win, showcasing her rising talent in the golfing world.
Competing at the renowned Sandbelt Trails, the No.2 Course at Mission Hills Resort Hainan, Zhang, a Shenzhen native based in the United States, demonstrated exceptional skill and composure throughout the tournament. She completed the event with a remarkable 54-hole score of 11-under 205, culminating in a final round of four-under 68 at this China LPGA Tour event. Her victory earned her a substantial prize of 120,000 yuan (approximately $16,941).
This triumph is particularly notable as Zhang is the first player to win her debut in the CLPGA Tour since Yang Taoli’s similar feat in 2009. Reflecting on her win, Zhang, who moved to the US at age 13, expressed her excitement and satisfaction with this perfect outcome in her China LPGA debut.
Chen Yu-ju of Taipei secured the runner-up position with a score of 72, closely followed by Chinese veteran Pan Yanhong, who finished with 67. Young Chinese amateur players Ren Yijia and Cao Xinyu also made impressive showings, tying for fourth place alongside Thai professionals Saraporn Chamchoi and Wannasiri Sirisampant.
Zhang’s journey to victory began with a two-stroke lead at the start of the final day. Her steady performance was highlighted by a pivotal moment at the 372-yard seventh hole, where she made a birdie with an approach shot landing just three feet from the pin. Despite a setback with a three-putt bogey at the 11th hole, she made a remarkable recovery with an eagle two at the 13th, where her approach shot incredibly found the hole from 125 yards out. She concluded the round with birdies on the 16th hole and the par-five last.
Zhang attributed the 13th hole as the turning point in her game, where her surprise hole-out eagle gave her the confidence boost needed to secure her win. Her solid iron play was a key factor in her performance, coupled with her mental resilience and strategic approach.
Looking ahead, Zhang has confirmed her participation in the season-ending Women’s China Open, starting December 12 in Xiamen, Fujian Province. She aims for another successful finish before taking a well-deserved break to celebrate her remarkable achievement. This victory not only marks a significant milestone in Zhang’s career but also positions her as a rising star in the world of professional golf.
READ MORE: