Wang Zixuan Claims Maiden Title at Golfjoy Women’s Open

Dongguan: Wang Zixuan emerged victorious at the rain-delayed Golfjoy Women’s Open on Saturday, edging out overnight leader Lin Xin’en with a dazzling final-round performance at the Leadbetter Course at Mission Hills Golf Club in Guangdong province. The 17-year-old rookie professional’s birdie blitz in the closing stretch secured her a one-stroke victory, marking her first professional win.

Li Menghan

Starting the day four shots behind Lin, Wang fired a tournament-best six-under-par 66 in the final round, finishing with a 54-hole total of seven-under 209. Her stellar performance earned her the title and a prize of RMB75,000. Lin, who had led the CLPG Tour event after the first two rounds, posted a one-under 71 to finish at 210, settling for second place after a thunderstorm delay disrupted her chance at a playoff-forcing birdie on the 18th.

Li Xin’en

The weather interruption forced Lin to wait nearly an hour before attempting a crucial 15-foot birdie putt on the final green. When play resumed, she couldn’t convert, handing Wang the win. Meanwhile, amateur Li Menghan carded a two-under 70 to claim third place alongside Cai Danlin (73) at four strokes back, while Pan Yanhong (70), Fang Shuanshuan (72), and He Jiaying (73) tied for fifth at 215.

Li Xin’en

Wang’s journey to victory wasn’t without early hiccups. The Beijing native, who turned pro in 2023, opened her final round with a bogey on the first hole. However, she quickly regained momentum, notching her first birdie on the fifth, followed by gains on the eighth and ninth to turn at two-under. Birdies on the 11th and 12th kept her in contention, and a near-perfect approach on the 14th—leaving a tap-in birdie—drew her level with Lin. With Lin managing only pars across the back nine, Wang seized the lead on the par-five 17th, sinking a 20-foot putt to take command of the leaderboard for good. Alongside the prize money, she received a Golfjoy Spica 3 launch monitor valued at RMB37,888.

Wang Zixuan

Reflecting on her triumph, Wang shared, “I watched Lin Xin’en from the clubhouse trying to make her final putt and honestly, I felt nothing about it. I wasn’t that nervous. I was prepared for a playoff. When she missed, I was happy to achieve my first victory on the China LPGA Tour.” The win capped a breakout season for Wang, who finished second in Tianjin last year and runner-up to Ye Lei at the 2023 Women’s China Open. “Over the last two holes, I told myself to be more daring and aggressive than last year. My goal was to finish in the top 10 to qualify for next week’s Mitsubishi event. I’m thrilled to have exceeded that.”

Wang Zixuan won her first CLPGA title

For Lin, a student at Shenzhen University and Guangzhou native, the runner-up finish was a bittersweet milestone. Leading by a stroke through 36 holes, her third round featured two birdies and a bogey—all on the front nine—before a steady but unyielding back nine. “This is my first time to finish in the top 10,” she said. “The road ahead is long with many more tournaments this year. My pro career is just beginning. Let’s wait and see.” On her missed playoff putt, she added, “Knowing I had a 15-foot birdie putt (at the last hole), I didn’t feel it as pressure, but more so as motivation. I tried to be aggressive, but I just didn’t execute it as well as I could have.”

Li Menghan, the top amateur, finished strong despite a challenging Friday. After a 75 in the second round, she closed with a two-under 70, featuring four birdies and two bogeys. Fresh off a 17th-place finish at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship in Vietnam, she admitted room for improvement. “I feel like I could have had a better score because I had a lot of birdie chances on the front nine,” she said. “But careless mistakes and a poor mindset held me back. My putting really wasn’t up to par. There’s still room to grow.”

Tenniel Chu, the vice chairman of Mission Hills Group, awarded the winning trophy to Wang Zixuan

The Leadbetter Course at Mission Hills Golf Club Dongguan, a 6,368-yard, par-72 layout, tested the field with its demanding design and unpredictable weather. The Golfjoy Women’s Open showcased emerging talent from mainland China and beyond, with players like Thailand’s Punpaka Phuntumabamrung and Supamas Sangchan also finishing strong.

Golfjoy Women’s Open Third Round Leading Scores

• 209 – Wang Zixuan 71-72-66
• 210 – Lin Xin’en 67-72-71
• 213 – Li Menghan* 68-75-70, Cai Danlin 70-70-73
• 215 – Pan Yanhong 74-71-70, Fang Shuangshuang 73-70-72, He Jiaying 71-71-73
• 216 – Zeng Liqi 70-73-73
• 217 – Wang Zhixuan 71-76-70, Punpaka Phuntumabamrung (THA) 72-73-72, Parinda Phokan (THA) 72-72-73, Tang Rongze* 69-74-74, Ornnicha Konsunthea (THA) 69-73-75
• 218 – Supamas Sangchan (THA) 74-71-73, Wannasiri Sirisampant (THA) 71-71-76
• 219 – Nemittra Juntanaket (THA) 74-76-69, Ng Jing Xuen (MAS) 77-71-71, Chonlada Chayanun (THA) 74-73-72, Xue Zixuan 73-72-74, Nanthikarn Raksachat (THA) 71-73-75
• 220 – Panitta Yusabai (THA) 76-73-71, Shi Yuli 76-72-72, Zhao Yihan 75-72-73, Phisitkhwan Pooratanaopa (THA) 72-75-73, Pan Xingyi 73-73-74, Senno Yasufuku (JPN) 72-74-74, Li Dongmei 71-73-76

Players are from mainland China unless indicated; * denotes amateur.