Chinese golfer Shi defends title at Beijing Ladies Classic

BEIJING - Shi Yuting successfully defended her Le Coq Sportif Beijing Ladies Classic title on Saturday when the Chinese pro sank a 15-foot birdie putt in the second hole of a playoff to defeat New Zealand's Munchen Keh.

With Shi carding her second consecutive round of 66 over the Beijing Orient Pearl Golf Club, only to be bettered by Keh who closed with a 65, both players were deadlocked at 11-under 205 in regulation play.

After both players made birdie on the first hole of the playoff, the 499-yard par-five 18th, Shi put the pressure on when she successfully converted her birdie putt in the second hole of sudden death - the 18th hole again.

Needing to make an eight-foot putt to prolong the playoff, Keh missed as Shi secured her third China LPGA Tour victory.

Afterwards a tearful Shi spoke about the pressure of retaining the title at her sponsor's event and the expectations that were placed upon her.