YANI TSENG WINS HONDA LPGA THAILAND TOURNAMENT

FROM THE LPGA TOUR WEBSITE
Despite a 73 in the first round and severe weather conditions halting the second round, nothing could stop defending champion and Rolex Rankings No. 1 Yani Tseng, pictured, from earning her first victory of the 2012 LPGA season at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2012.
The 23-year-old from Taiwan finished the day with a tap-in birdie on the 72nd hole to secure her 13th career and 21st international victory with a 19-under-par total of 269.
She won by one shot from Japan's Ai Miyazato who finished with a 68.
Tseng started the week on the wrong foot with a 1-over-par 73 that included five bogeys. She managed to work her way up the leaderboard after carding consecutive 65's in the second and third rounds to put her just one stroke behind the leader and 2010 Honda Thailand champion Ai Miyazato moving in to the final round at the Siam Country Club.
After the second round was suspended for a lightening delay, Tseng was among 14 players forced to resume play the following morning with a 7:30 start time, making it a long day for several top competitors.
Despite the early start, Tseng's performance placed her in the top 10 with a tie for eighth heading into the third round, while LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Karrie Webb took a big lead with six birdies and an ace on the 12th hole to take her to the top of the leaderboard  at 11 under par.
Miyazato and Tseng both finished at 7-under-par in the third round with a one stroke deficit between the two. Tseng started Sunday's final round with an eagle on the first hole and assumed control of the tournament with a steady front nine including three birdies. Two bogeys at the start of back nine opened the door for Miyazato and Jiyai Shin to catch up, however, Tseng closed it with consecutive birdies at 17 and 18, where she nearly holed out for eagle, leaving an easy tap-in for birdie to secure the win.
Tseng is coming off a huge 2011 season with seven LPGA victories, her first Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average (69.66) and her second consecutive Rolex Player of the Year award.
Today's victory further solidifies her lead in the Rolex Rankings and also gives her an edge in the race for her third-consecutive Rolex Player of the Year award and second-consecutive LPGA Official Money List title.
The Honda LPGA Thailand is the second stop of a three-week Asia-Pacific circuit. The LPGA Tour travels to Singapore next week for the HSBC Women's Champions.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
269 Yani Tseng (Taiwan) 73 65 65 66 ($225,000)
270 Ai Miyazato (Japan) 67 70 65 68 ($140, 688).
271 Jiyai Shin (S Korea) 70 66 68 67 ($10,059).

BRITISH TOTALS
285 Catriona Matthew (Scotland) 74 71 72 68 ($14,173).
287 Karen Stupples (England) 77 69 73 68 ($11,862).
298 Laura Davies (England) 78 75 75 70 ($3,620).