Japanese rookie Rio Takeda equalled the course record on her way to a dominant victory at the Blue Bay LPGA in China on Sunday.
Takeda shot a blistering bogey-free round of 64, which included eight birdies, to end at 17 under par and claim her second LPGA title.
Her six-shot winning margin on Hainan Island was the largest of the season.
Australian two-time Major winner Minjee Lee, who finished second on 11 under par, briefly threatened to challenge for the trophy after making up three shots with a chip-in birdie at 7 and another for eagle at 8.
Though Lee made a further four birdies on the back-nine, Takeda consistently made up shots to always stay comfortably ahead.
Japan’s Ayaka Furue finished third on 10 under and Australia’s Cassie Porter – another rookie – took fourth.
Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, the world No 2 coming into this tournament, shot a disappointing 74 to slip from joint third overnight to a joint 12th finish.
South Africa’s Paula Reto shared 29th position on even par after a final-round 74.
Poker-faced for much of the day as she sunk putts all over the course, Takeda finally broke into a smile after making yet another birdie on the final hole before being showered with champagne by her supporters.
Ahead by two strokes overnight, the 21-year-old made birdies at holes 1, 3 and 4 and never looked like relinquishing the lead.
“I’m really happy to win this tournament because the course layout is really different … compared to Japanese courses,” Takeda said after her victory.
She attributed the triumph to her strong driving game, heralding it as her “strongest point”.
The young Japanese golfer took home $375,000 prize money with her trophy.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Zhe Ji/Getty Images
