South Korean Hee-Won Han saved her best for last, blasting a five-under 67 to win the US$1.3 million (Bt50 million) Honda LPGA Thailand tournament as second day leader Nicole Castrale faltered on the final day.

Ranked No 10 on the LPGA money list, Hee-Won increased her lead throughout her round yesterday while Castrale could not find the form which propelled her to the top of the leaderboard after the first two rounds.

The Seoul-based player who turned 28 only 12 days ago played a solid front nine with four successive birdies from the 4th to the 7th and finished with seven birdies against two bogeys. She won her sixth career title with a 14-under 202.

"This is my sixth title, but it is the first time I won by five strokes," said the world No 19, who cooled down in the heat when several players threw beer on her to celebrate her victory after the final hole.

Her last win came in the Corning Classic in May.

"After nine holes, I knew that I could win. I played comfortably but still tried to birdie,'' added Hee-Won. "I didn't hit the green on the first hole, but I made birdie on the second and I was hitting perfect iron shots. My irons and my putting were pretty good today."

The South Korean rushed home last night with $195,000 in prize money in her pocket. She plans to celebrate with her parents before playing in next week's $1.35 million LPGA event in Gyeongju, South Korea. Her goal for 2007 is to win a Major.

Five shots behind the winner was American Diana D'Alessio, who carded two-under 70 for a total of nine-under 207. It was D'Alessio's best result this year.

"My putting saved me because I really didn't hit the ball all that well today," said the 31-year-old, who played a bogey-free back nine and birdied the 10th, 15th and 18th.

"The pins were really tough today and Hee-Won was just lighting up out there. I don't know how close she is hitting it, but I thought they were tough."

Castrale of the US, who was two shots ahead of Hee-Won after Saturday's round, crumbled on the final day with five bogeys before two late birdies on the 15th and 18th.

The American finished with a three-over 75 and had to settle for joint third with an eight-under total of 208.

She shared third spot with Taiwan's Candie Kung and South Korean Gloria Park.

Sticking to her aggressive game plan, the fourth-ranked Christie Kerr had four birdies yesterday to finish with a seven-under 209.

She shared sixth position with Sweden's Carin Koch and Americans Brittany Lang and Christina Kim.

Travelling to Thailand for the first time in 18 years, American-Thai Stacy Prammanasudh fired a two-under 70 yesterday to finish with a three-under 213 for a share of 17th place.

"I played okay but it was not my best golf. I made too many mistakes because the heat made it tough to concentrate,'' said Prammanasudh, who plans to visit her family and shop before catching a flight back to Oklahoma on Thursday.

In her first event as a pro, Purdue University student Onnarin Sattayabanphot of Thailand hit a three-over 75 yesterday for a three-over 219 in total. The 22-year-old who lives in Indiana was the best Thai and finished tied for 46th.

"Overall, it was okay, but I wish I could have finished the last day better.

"I made some poor putts for a couple of holes and it took its toll,'' said the Thai, who finished in the top 20 in the university rankings in the US.

Local favourite Virada Nirapathpongporn struggled to find her momentum, and had a four-over 77 yesterday to finish on 10-over 226. She was tied in 55th place.

The LPGA rookie promised to come back stronger next year.

"There are ups and downs in the 52 weeks on the tour and obviously this is a bad week for me,'' said the Thai ace.

"I will play in South Korea and Japan and then will spend time with my brother in Australia to take a break from golf for a while,'' said the emotional Thai, who was in tears when she talked about how much her late father devoted to her career.

South Korean Aree Song was in joint 51st place, while Thailand Ladies Masters champion Titiya Plucksataporn came at tied at 54th.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

Chonburi