Thailand’s world number 47 Pornanong Phatlum ended her year on a high when she produced sensational golf over the closing stretch of the Majlis course to beat American world number three Stacy Lewis by one shot in the Dubai Ladies Masters.
Pornanong, who celebrated her 24th birthday on Wednesday, the opening day of the season-ending championship of the Ladies European Tour, made it a memorable week by closing with a six-under par 66.
Birdies on the last two holes helped her tally 15-under par 273 for the tournament, one shot better than Lewis, who could only par the last two holes.
Saturday’s win was worth E75,000 ($A114,000) for Pornanong, who had started the day two shots behind Lewis.
Spain’s Carlota Ciganda (71), winner of the LET Order of Merit last year, was alone in third place at seven-under par 281, with Italy’s Diane Luna (73) finishing in fourth a further two shots behind.
Feng Shanshan of China, winner last year, and British veteran Laura Davies were tied for fifth at three-under par 285.
Charley Hull, the 17-year-old English phenomenon, won the Rookie of the Year award as she finished tied for eighth at two-under par 286.
Her nearest rival, compatriot Holly Clyburn, who needed to finish much better than Hull, made a quadruple bogey on the 18th hole and slumped to 79 on Saturday.
Best of the Australians was Sarah Kemp (74) at even par and tied 13th.
“I am so excited and happy. This win is going to give me a lot of confidence,” said Pornanong, who has been playing on the LPGA Tour for the past couple of years.
A disappointed Lewis, for whom it was the 11th straight finish inside the top-eight since July this year, said: “It’s been a really good year. It’s had its highs and lows. I’ve played some really consistent golf.
“These last few months have kind of left a sour taste on it, just kind of losing a couple of tournaments right at the end.”