Pattaya: Japanese star Ai Miyazato won the season-opening Honda PTT LPGA Thailand, holing a birdie chip on the final hole for a 9-under 63 and a one-stroke victory Sunday over Norway's Suzann Pettersen. Miyazato, six strokes behind Pettersen at the start of play, was 6 under in a six-hole stretch midway through the final round, then birdied three of the last six holes to match the tournament record of 21 under set by Pettersen in October 2007.
Pettersen finished with a 70. She had a chance to force a playoff on the par-5 18th, but missed a 23-foot eagle attempt.
Miyazato earned $195,000 for her second LPGA Tour title. She also won the Evian Masters last year in France.
Taiwan's Yani Tseng (69) was third, six strokes back at 15 under.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, February 21, 2010, 17:57