Tseng defends Honda crown

World number one finishes strongly to edge out Miyazato by one



Yani Tseng successfully defended her Honda LPGA Thailand title as she produced a superb closing round of 66 to beat Japan's Ai Miyazato by a single stroke.

Miyazato, who had held a two-shot overnight lead, battled bravely throughout but was unable to hold off the world number one. Tseng made her intentions clear at the opening hole of the day as she produced a stunning eagle that instantly wiped out Miyazato's advantage. A birdie at the third saw her assume the lead for the first time and, by the time she added another at the seventh, she had pulled four clear of her nearest rival.

But Miyazato responded impressively on the back nine and clawed her way to within one shot of the leader as they headed down the par-five 18th. The Japanese player did all she could with a birdie, but Tseng closed out victory with an exquisite third shot to two feet which ensured she too made a decisive birdie. An emotional Tseng said of her approach afterwards: "That was my shot of the week at the 18th. I knew I had to get it close because Ai had a birdie lined up. I didn't want it to go to a play-off." Korea's Shin Ji-Yai - who briefly pulled level with Tseng following a birdie at 17 - had to settle for third place after a bogey down the last saw her finish two back, while compatriot Amy Yang ended in fourth a further three shots adrift. - http://www1.skysports.com/