Daily Times

ADELAIDE: South Korea’s Jang Ha-Na stormed to a three-shot victory in the Australian Open at Royal Adelaide with a blistering eagle-birdie finish on Sunday. The world number six claimed her fourth LPGA tournament win with a sensational flourish to her final round. Jang, 24, conjured a remarkable finish with an eagle from long range at the 17th followed by a brilliant birdie at the 18th to reach 10-under 282. Her round of four-under 69 equalled the lowest round of the day but it was done in the toughest of the conditions with gusty winds. Jang defeated Denmark’s Nanna Madsen on seven-under 285 with a group of four including Thailand’s world number two Ariya Jutanugarn at joint third on six-under 286. “It’s a really good, strong finish. That is why it’s good sport today,” Jang said.

“The first hole I was very nervous on the tee because I want to make birdie at every hole, be more aggressive. After hole number one it’s really tough day, because every hole par, par, make par, and then I talked to caddie, it’s like, ‘Okay, I try just be patient every hole’. I had a really good score after hole number 12 and I hit a really good birdies at 13 and 14 and eagled the 17th.” The Korean star had a sizzling back nine of five-under 31 with birdies at the 13th, 14th and 18th holes as well as the eagle at 17. Overnight leader American Lizette Salas, who led by three shots at the 11th hole on Sunday, fell away badly to record a five-over 78 and finish tied for seventh.