Shanshan Feng fired a final round eight-under-par 63 to win the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia by three shots over third round leader Pornanong Phatlum.
Feng made birdies at Nos. 11-14 to catch Phatlum at 16-under-par, who had started the day with a four-shot lead. Feng added an eagle at No. 16, while Phatlum posted a double-bogey at No. 15 for a four-shot swing that would decide the outcome of the tournament.
Feng, who collected $300,000 for the win, has earned over $1 million for the year and is now ranked No. 5 in the world and No. 8 in the Race to the CME Globe. She is the first woman professional golfer from mainland China to become a member of the LPGA Tour and win on tour.
Her first win came at a major championship, the 2012 LPGA Championship. She added two more wins in 2013, winning the Reignwood Classic in her home country and collected the largest check ever for a women’s golf tournament, $700,000 by winning the CME Titleholders last November.
Feng turned professional in 2007 and joined the LPGA Tour in 2008. She also has two wins on the Ladies European Tour and has won five LPGA of Japan titles.
Phatlum opened with rounds of 67-67-65 to hold the third round lead. Her one-under-par 70 on Sunday allowed Feng to overtake her.
Pernilla Linberg fired her own 63 to move into a tie for third place with 36-hole leader So Yeon Ryu and Chella Choi.
Na Yeon Choi finished with a final round 67 to get to 13-under-par and solo sixth.
Lydia Ko, still battling an injured hand, tied for eighth with Sun Young Yoo, Mi Hyang Lee and Caroline Masson.
Stacy Lewis held the first round lead after firing a six-under-par 65, but rounds of 71-72-69 left her at seven-under-par for the week and T-21. She maintains the No. 1 spot in the Rolex Ranking, the LPGA Tour money list and the Race to the CME Globe.
Ladies European Tour teenage sensation Charley Hull, who is trying to play her way onto the LPGA Tour finished T-58 and earned $5,259.00.
The women next move to LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship in Incheon, South Korea for the third leg of the six-tournament Asian swing.