Bo-bae Song wins Samsung Ladies Masters

Singapore:

A birdie on the final hole helped Korean teenager Bo-bae Song to win the Samsung Ladies Masters at the Laguna National Masters course in Singapore today. Song carded a three-over 75 to finish with a total of 10-under 206 for the tournament and win by one stroke from Charlotta Sorenstam of Sweden, the younger sister of world number one Annika. It was 18-year-old Song's first-ever European tour title. Strong start Former world number one Laura Davies of England made a strong start on the final day of the Samsung Ladies Masters today. Davies, starting at 6-under, quickly got into her stride as she birdied the first hole to move to 7-under. Charlotta Sorenstam, who fired a course record equalling 8-under 64 on Friday, made a terrible start to the final round. A bogey on the very first hole made it difficult for the Swede. She finished with a round of 1-under 71. After a bogey on the second, Davies birdied the sixth hole to get back to 7-under. The 41-year-old Englishwoman carded a 2-under round of 70 and ended joint fourth with a score of 8-under 208. Slow and steady Overnight leader Song made a slow start with pars on the first four holes. But with pressure rising, Song made a bogey on the par three 5th hole as she missed two easy putts. But she made a strong comeback on the 7th hole. Song hit a fine chip from the sand bunker that set up a birdie. After a good tee shot on the par 3 eighth hole, Song rolled in a birdie putt to get back to 13-under for the tournament and maintain her lead. However, the shot of the day belonged to Australia's Jane Leary. She had a hole-in-one on the par 3 twelfth. Leary finished at 2-under and in joint 9th place. Song lost her momentum on the back nine and dropped three shots before reaching the final hole tied with Sorenstam at 9-under. Superb approach The Korean, who was Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year in the Korean LPGA, played a superb approach shot to the green, setting her up for a birdie. After Sorenstam's birdie putt stopped short of the hole, Song took her time and rolled in her birdie putt to win a European Ladies tour title for the first time. Bo-bae Song, who carded a 3-over 75 for a score of 10 under 206, took home $30,000 for her win. The win allows Song to compete on the European Ladies Tour for the next three years. (AP)