Jiangsu, China: Teenage amateur Zhou Shiyuan captured her first China LPGA Tour title thanks to a flawless closing nine-under 63 at the Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Challenge.

Starting the day nine strokes off the lead on even-par, the 14-year-old from Chongqing closed with a bogey-free round that featured nine birdies, including five consecutively from the 13th hole.

She finished the 54-hole tournament at Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Golf Club on nine-under 207.

At 14 years, 10 months and eight days old, Zhou becomes the CLPGA Tour’s youngest winner.

Overnight leader Kusuma Meechai claimed the RMB75,000 winner’s purse despite blowing a four-stroke lead as the Thai signed off with a one-over 73. She finished equal second with Chinese amateur Xu Ying (69).

Zhou, 165th in the World Golf Amateur Ranking, came out strong with a birdie on the first hole. She picked up further strokes at the fourth and sixth holes to make the turn at three-under.

On the back nine, Zhou birdied the 11th hole before reeling off five consecutive birdies starting from the 13th.

“I would give myself a score of 100 today because I truly believe I played exceptionally well, especially with five consecutive birdies. My mindset remained unchanged and very stable, which I consider my biggest improvement,” said Zhou, who had three previous top-five finishes on the China LPGA Tour.

“I was quite surprised to win this championship because after the first two rounds I felt I was no longer in contention for the title.

“However, I played very well in the final round, which made me feel I could still aim for a better placement. I adopted a ‘let’s give it a try’ attitude, focusing on playing each shot well and trying to make birdies. This championship may give me greater confidence in future competitions. I believe I won’t feel as nervous.”

Kusuma, whose round included an eagle three at the 13th, a birdie and four bogeys, including one at the last hole, lamented a missed opportunity to earn her third CLPGA Tour title.

“I feel a bit sad that I didn’t win, but I did my best,” said the 29-year-old from Sa Kaeo, who has been playing in tournaments in China, Korea and her native Thailand this year.

“Today, my driver wasn’t the best and my iron games gave me quite some work, but my short game saved a lot of shots.”

Xu, a 15-year-old from Guangdong Province, had a chance to force a play-off with Zhou but missed a 10-foot birdie putt at the last to settle for equal runner-up. Her round included five birdies and two bogeys.

“I felt okay at the beginning, but later on I struggled a bit,” said Shenzhen-based Xu. “I had trouble making birdies and my approach shots weren’t particularly good. But I think my putting was better than yesterday.”

Thais Chonlada Chayanun (71), Sherman Santiwiwatthana (73) and Ornnicha Konsunthea (74) were equal fourth, a distant nine strokes off the winning score. China’s Pan Yanhong (69) was one shot further back in equal seventh with Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chieh-ning (72).