US Teen Wins LPGA Event In Malaysia

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American teenager Lexi Thompson shot a final-round 2-under 69 on Sunday for a four-shot victory at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

It is the second career victory for Thompson, 18, and her first as an LPGA Tour member. She shot in the 60s every round and Thompson’s four-day total of 19-under set a tournament record on the East Course at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

“Just a bunch of happiness right now, that’s for sure,” said Thompson, who won the 2011 Navistar LPGA Classic before getting her Tour card. “Words can’t even describe the feeling I have right now. It’s sort of like a rerun from Navistar, just having that feeling walking up to the 18th green, embracing the fans and just knowing you have the win under your belt. It means so much, especially to get it here in Malaysia.”

Shanshan Feng, who won in Beijing last week, shot 67 on Sunday to claim second place.

Thompson began the round with a three-shot lead over Ilhee Lee, who trimmed it to one shot with birdies on No. 6 and No. 7. But Thompson regrouped and extended the lead to five shots by the 12th hole. Lee stumbled to a final-round 73 and finished in a tie for third with world No. 2 Suzanne Pettersen.

“It got really close,” said Thompson. “I had a little off start. I had a few bad tee shots. But I was just trying to stay into it and be confident with all my tee shots and shots into the green. But I knew not only the group I was playing with, Suzann and Ilhee, they’re both good players, but even players behind them were obviously coming up and playing well. I knew I had to just keep on birdieing and making pars.”

Top-ranked Inbee Park finished in a tie for 32nd at 1-under, while third-ranked Stacy Lewis posted a tie for 6th at 8-under.