On the new year’s eve, Taiwan’s Chien Pei-Yun (錢珮芸) went from one-shot behind to deny a back-to-back win for Wu Chia-Yen (吳佳晏) and captured the title at the season-ending CTBC Invitational.

Chien shot a low-round 72 on Saturday to finish on 3-over 219, beating 36-hole leader, last week’s Taiwan Mobile Ladies Open winner Wu by two shots. The victory won her a NT$1 million prize cheque.

“Finally, on the last day of 2022, I can proudly say I’ve accomplished both pre-season goals of mine, to retain my membership on the LPGA Tour, and to win on the TLPGA Tour. It’s been a productive year for me. I hope I’ll be able to win on the LPGA Tour as well in the next season,” said Chien. “I’m happy that I was really bringing out the best game when it mattered the most, and in front of such a strong field.”

Starting the day one-shot off Wu, Chien matched the leader’s pace on the front nine, with both players making one birdie and two bogeys. The LPGA Tour member, however, stepped up a gear after the turn, pouring in two birdies from 6 and 24 feet on Hole 10 and 11, snatching a two-shot edge to her side after Wu’s three-putt bogey on the 11th.

Wu tried to heat up the pace with some brilliant set-ups on the 13th and 15th, only to see both chances come and gone. Chien left Wu an open door after bogeying the 16th and only held a one-shot lead, but Wu’s last effort on the 18th, using a 50-degree wedge to attack the pin, flew way past the green and ended up with another bogey. Chien sealed the deal with a par.

“Chia-Yen is super talented. To be honest, my head was playing every scenario when I went to bed last night, trying to visualize how I’m going to beat Chia-Yen, so I didn’t really have a great sleep. But today, I was actually doing exactly what I rehearsed in my head, sticking to my strategy to keep my GIR rate high, and finally getting the result I wanted. I’m just very happy,” said Chien, who is scheduled to play in the Hitachi Ladies Classic next week, before she can take a well-deserved break and celebrate her Chinese New Year Holidays at home for the first time in six years!

Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab, also playing in the last group on Saturday, carded a final-round 76 to finish in a tie for fifth at 7-over 223 with compatriot Chonlada Chayanun (72), and Taiwan’s Tsai Pei-Ying (蔡佩穎) (73), Juliana Hung (洪玉霖) (74), and Phoebe Yao (姚宣榆) (73).

Teresa Lu (73) and Liao Hsin-Chun (廖信淳) (74) wrapped it up in a tie for third at 6-over 222. 18-year-old Liao, who drained a decisive birdie putt on the final hole, came from behind to take away the low-amateur prize.

Japan LPGA Tour campaigner Teresa Lu was amazed by the attendance of spectators at the Kaohsiung Golf & Country Club today. “It feels really nice to play in front of the fans,” said Lu. “I didn’t play too bad, but it would definitely make a huge difference if I could get the feel on the greens like today a bit earlier!”