Ji's confidence soars after storming to victory

China's rising teen golfer Ji Yuai believes that a confidence-boosting win at the inaugural FILA GOLF Women's Classic in Shanghai will inspire her to challenge the best golfers from around the world at major international events.

"I always have trust in my skills and mindset, but, as a player, sometimes there are challenges," said 19-year-old Ji.

In a rush to finish the final round before the arrival of Tropical Storm Bebinca on Sunday, Ji held it together in the wild and windy conditions to close with an even-par 72 and win by two shots in Shanghai. With the players teeing off the final round from a shotgun start with carts at 6:40 am on the Yangtze Links at PGA Golf Club Anying, Ji finished on 10-under 206 to claim the 180,000 yuan ($25,385) winner's purse.

"It's great to enter the winner's club, again. I haven't lost my game since Tianjin, it's just one or two little troublesome things that have blocked the way to the winner's podium. I was confident going into this week. Since the first birdie in my first round, I became more and more confident."

Ji, who won this April's CLPGA Tianjin Open — her maiden tour victory — has been struggling with some physical issues, resulting in a mid-season drop in form. However, she was fully fit at the weekend, making a strong return in Shanghai.

"I hope, now, that I can play my best golf in the coming months. Actually, I had enough confidence in myself after the win in Tianjin. This one only cements my belief that, as long as I keep doing what I'm doing right now, I will get even better," said the Dalian native, who now moves to second place in the CLPGA Order of Merit.

The $1 million Aramco Team Series, sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour, tees off the penultimate event of its five-tournament global series at Mission Hills Golf Club Shenzhen on Oct 4. The top 17 players on the CLPGA Tour money list will be given an exemption into the tournament.

With the US LPGA Tour making its annual stop at Qizhong Garden Golf Club for the $2.2 million Buick LPGA Shanghai, starting Oct 10, the China Golf Association has 15 spots available for the championship, six of which were decided by the results of the Shanghai event.

CLPGA, as China's only and regular tour for women's golf, has developed a number of former and current LPGA champions and world No 1s, such as Feng Shanshan and Yin Ruoning.

"I'm always preparing myself for the next level, step by step," said Ji. "I will try to compete at more international events. Once my world ranking breaks into the top 400, I will try to fight to qualify for LPGA tour."

Rising amateurs

Amateur Tang Rongze finished runner-up on Sunday after also posting an even-par 72, while Cai Danlin finished four shots back in third, posting a three-under 69. Chinese amateurs Ren Yijia (70) and Zhou Shiyuan (71) were equal fourth.

Tang, who was gunning for her first win against a pro field, lamented a missed opportunity after being tied with Ji through five holes. Her round featured three birdies that were offset by three bogeys.

"This was not a great round. I had a steady start, but my iron play wasn't great. I didn't have many birdie chances. I also had a couple of annoying lip-outs (where the ball hits the edge of the cup and spins away). I had a fantastic birdie (on the 18th) with a great chip at the end of the day. I felt great about it," said Tang, a 15-year-old from Qingdao.

"This was my best finish on the China LPGA Tour, which is a great honor, but I can't help thinking that a win was possible with a better score today."

Cai, a 21-year-old from Hainan, solidified her place on the money list, moving into third on the Order with 224,646 yuan from five events.

"I knew it was going to be hard going into the final round seven shots off the lead, but, after three rounds, I was just four shots behind. I feel a little bit of regret, to be honest. I missed plenty of opportunities during the competition. Ji is a good player and she hits long. The course suits her. She deserves this."

Notes:

FILA GOLF Women's Classic final round scores. Players are from Chinese mainland unless otherwise stated (*denotes amateur):

206 — Ji Yuai 66-68-72

208 — Tang Rongze* 68-68-72

210 — Cai Danlin 72-69-69

211 — Ren Yijia* 70-71-70, Zhou Shiyuan* 68-72-71

212 — Noramol Nuchsila (THA) 71-71-70, Hung Chieh-ning (TPE) 71-67-74

213 — Prima Thammaraks (THA) 73-71-69, Sui Xiang 70-68-75

214 — Kusuma Meechai (THA) 76-69-69, Wang Zixuan 68-76-70, Pan Yanhong 69-71-74

215 — Zhang Hui 73-69-73, Li Gengshan 71-68-76

216 — Saranporn Katesuwan (THA) 72-73-71, Pimnipa Panthong (THA) 73-72-71