Han wins by five in Thailand
IN: News | LPGA | Honda LPGA Thailand (2006) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 22 Oct 2006
Hee Won Han staged a remarkable last round surge to win the Honda LPGA Thailand event in Chonburi and in doing so added her second LPGA title of the year and her sixth title overall.
28-year-old Han has missed just one cut all season in the US but in recent weeks she has seldom challenged for the lead in tournaments. Today, however, against a slightly weaker than normal LPGA Tour field she quickly overtook the long term leader of the event, Nicole Castrale, who after leading by two as play commenced on the final day, struggled to the turn in 39 and was five behind.
Han eventually won by five shots and moves to 7th on the 2006 LPGA Tour money list.
Han remained out of reach for most of the day and in the end it was Dianne D'Alessio who would move into second place, five shots behind, with a final round of 70. Castrale recovered form her shaky start late in the day and finished in a share of third.
Castrale was looking to win her first LPGA sanctioned event after a successful season on the Futures Tour in 2005 where she won twice. She has had her best season in 2006 and this provided a great opportunity to win although her third placed finish is the best of her LPGA career.
Gloria Park and Taiwan's Candie Kung shared third place with Castrale.
Cristie Kerr was the pre-tournament favourite but never really threatened to challenge the leaders and finished 6th.
The best of the Australians was Lindsey Wright, who finished 27th while Rachel Hetherington continued her rather dismal season when 31st.
The LPGA Tour now moves to South Korea for the Kolon Hana Bank event in Seoul this week.
