(Portland) Chanettee Wannasaen had a strong five-hole streak early in the final round and won the Portland Classic on Sunday.
Wannasaen turned 63 (minus-9) and prevailed by four strokes to become the first Monday qualifier since 2015 to win an LPGA Tour tournament.
Wannasaen came to Portland ranked 367th and hadn’t avoided the ax in nine straight tournaments.
The 19-year-old from Thailand played four rounds in her 60s on the Columbia Edgewater course and finished the tournament with a cumulative score of minus-26. Wannasaen shattered the tournament record by five strokes in her first career LPGA title.
Wannasaen became only the third qualifier to sign a title on the circuit. The Canadian Brooke Henderson was the last qualifier on Monday to triumph, achieving the feat in Portland in 2015. The American Laurel Kean is the third, thanks to a victory at the Classic State Farm in 2000.
Megan Khang, the leader after three rounds, missed her attempt to win two tournaments in a row. The 25-year-old American was crowned Canadian Women’s Open champion last week.
Khang shot 71 to finish the tournament in Oregon in sixth place at 19 under.
Chinese Xiyu Lin (64) finished the event in second place, at minus-22. Chinese Ruoning Yin (64), American Gina Kim (66) and Spaniard Carlota Ciganda (67) shared third place.
The only Canadian to compete in the weekend rounds, Henderson brought home a 68 and finished 34th.
