Ji tops CLPGA money list with national championship win

Ji Yuai captured the China LPGA Tour Order of Merit crown on Saturday, as the Dalian native won her third title of the year with a dominant performance at the Orient Women's China Open in Fujian province.

Starting the final round of the 15th national championship in sunny, but windy, conditions at Orient (Xiamen) Golf and Country Club, the 20-year-old closed with a three-under 69 for a nine-shot victory. It was the largest winning margin in the tournament's history.

Ji finished on 16 under 200 to tie a personal best score for 54 holes. The win was worth 75,000 yuan ($10,308).

She also receives a full-time playing card for the 2025 Korea LPGA Tour season for finishing on top of the CLPGA Tour money list with 439,846 yuan.

"I'm very excited and very proud of myself," said Ji, who also posted wins in Tianjin and Shanghai this season.

"This is a big win because it's the national championship. It's historic."

Xu Ying was the top amateur, as the 15-year-old closed with a 69 to finish equal runner-up with Pang Runzhi (70).

LPGA Tour regular Liu Yan shot 71 to land two shots further back in equal fourth with Thailand's Kusuma Meechai (72).

Defending champion Angelina Ye Lei, who wasn't able to mount a challenge this week, closed with a 74 to finish equal sixth, 12 strokes off the pace, tied with compatriots Sui Xiang (73) and amateur Wang Zige (72).

Ji, who started the day with a seven-stroke lead, said she could have played the final round better. Her round included five birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey at the par-three fourth, when her shot hit a manhole cover and bounced out-of-bounds. At the par-four 11th, she chipped directly into the hole from 15 yards for birdie.

"Three-under is a good score today. Maybe I didn't have more energy to play better, I felt a little bit tired," said the third-year pro. "At the 11th hole, I think I was very lucky, because I had never chipped into the hole like that. That was the first time, but I will try to hit more like that."

Pang, who has been battling all year with Ji to see who would win the Order crown, finished second on the money list and was named the Tour's rookie of the year. The 17-year-old, winner of the Singapore Ladies Masters, closed with a round that included four birdies and two bogeys.

"Two-under is okay, but I think four-under can be achievable with my game today. It is a pity that I didn't make more putts. All the birdies were expected. I tried my best. Going into this round, I also aimed for a win, but after the front nine, I think the win was out of reach because I didn't make putts," said the Tianjin teenager.

"But, the first year has been very good for me. I had a win. I ranked second on the money list and was rookie-of-the year."

Xu, 148th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, finished strongly with three birdies over the last six holes for her best finish against a pro field. It was her third top-three finish on the CLPGA Tour this season.

"My front nine wasn't good. So I just told myself: 'It's okay'," said the Zhuhai native.

"On the back nine, I thought I had a chance to get the top amateur medal, and that was my target for this tournament. I did it.

"For two tournaments, I lost out on being the top amateur and thought to myself: 'I must do this today'. I encouraged myself, so I am very happy to get this honor."