Liu makes history as first amateur to win Women’s China Open

Beijing teenager Liu Yujie wrote her name in the record books on Sunday when the 16-year-old became the first amateur to win the Women’s China Open with a four-stroke victory at the national championship.

After starting the final round one stroke off the lead in sunny but breezy conditions at the links-style PGA Anying Golf Club Yangtze Dunes course on Shanghai’s Chongming Island, Liu closed with a three-under 69 for a 54-hole score of seven-under 209. It was the third CLPG Tour victory for China’s top female amateur in the past two years against professional fields.

“The thing I’m especially happy about is that I won my first tournament after being away from competition for two months. I’m a player who really loves competing, and I usually play tournaments consecutively rather than taking such a long break,” said Liu, the daughter of former table tennis world champion and Olympic gold medalist Liu Guoliang.

“To come back and achieve such a good result feels great. I think it shows that I’ve matured as a player and become better at adapting to different situations.”

Cui Jinghan bolstered the strong showing by Chinese amateurs at the CLPG Tour’s flagship event as the 15-year-old Beijing native carded an even-par 72 to finish equal runner-up with overnight leader Shi Yuli (74). As consolation, Shi, who led the tournament through the first two rounds, collected the RMB180,000 winner’s purse.

Playing in the final group, Liu quickly found herself tied for the lead when she made par at the first hole as playing partner Shi opened with a bogey. Liu would then make a birdie at the second hole to take the outright lead.

After Shi made a birdie at the 164-yard fifth hole to draw even with Liu, the seventh hole proved pivotal as Liu would birdie the hole and Shi would make bogey for a two-shot swing. Shi would drop another stroke at the eighth hole to fall three strokes back as Liu would go on to make 10 consecutive pars before closing out her winning campaign with a birdie on the final hole.

“Overall, I felt good about my game today. My driving, approach shots and shots around the greens were all pretty steady. I was able to maintain a consistent scoring level throughout the three rounds. Even with a two-shot advantage heading into the final hole, nothing is certain until the ball drops into the cup. I knew I had to stay patient and concentrate on what I needed to do,” said Liu, 16th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

“The 18th hole was definitely the highlight of my day. It was the final hole, and there were more spectators there than anywhere else on the course. It was great to play such a beautiful hole in front of everyone, and I was really happy to make a birdie.”

Shi, last year’s inaugural points ranking winner, lamented a missed opportunity to pick up her second career title after winning the season-ending CLPG Tour Championship in December.

“My game wasn’t in great shape during the first half of the year as I was sick quite a bit. This week, I felt like I was getting back into form, so it was a bit of a shame that I couldn’t quite finish the way I wanted to on the final day,” said Shi. “I struggled to find my rhythm today and my tempo felt a little off, particularly with my putting. I was probably a bit too aggressive on the greens.”

Cui, 79th in the World amateur rankings, started the day two shots back of Shi but never really challenged for the lead while playing in the final group. Her round included three birdies and three bogeys, the final one coming on the last hole.

“I played pretty well today, especially on the back nine where I holed a few long putts. On a few holes, particularly the first two or three, I didn’t judge the wind quite right, which affected my distance control,” said the teenager.

“This result will give me more confidence moving forward. When I play in bigger tournaments in the future, I’ll feel more confident setting higher goals for myself. It’ll also encourage me to keep practicing and improving my game.”

Ren Yijia, the CLPG Tour points ranking leader, shot a one-over 73 to finish fourth, five shots off the pace. Nook Sukapan was a shot further back in fifth as the Thai carded a 67 for the low round of the tournament.

Pang Runzhi, last year’s champion, closed with a 77 to finish equal 29th, 15 strokes off the winning score.