![Tavatanakit holds off charging Valenzuela to win LPGA Thailand](https://www.berlinertageblatt.de/media/shared/articles/98/13/8f/Tavatanakit-holds-off-charging-Vale-588511.jpg)
-
What's the fallout of Mexican drug lords' capture?
-
Video game makers see actors as AI 'data,' says union on strike
-
Chinese qualifier Shang to face Thompson in ATP Atlanta semis
-
Concern grows as Venezuela blocks election observers
-
'Massive attack' on French rail threatens more chaos
-
'We did it!': France breathes sigh of relief after Olympics ceremony
-
Blinken, in Laos, set for talks with Chinese foreign minister
-
Regional concern grows as Venezuela blocks vote observers
-
Historic river parade, Dion show-stopper ignite Paris Olympics
-
Rainy Paris Olympic parade dampens many spectators' spirits
-
G20 pledges to work together to tax ultra-rich
-
The one of a kind Paris opening ceremony: five memorable moments
-
Justin Timberlake seeks to dismiss DUI case
-
Warner Brothers Discovery sues NBA over Amazon rights deal
-
Kobe Bryant locker, Maradona jersey up for auction in New York
-
Historic river parade launches Paris Olympics
-
Stocks rise as US inflation data boosts rate cut hopes
-
New York family of Holocaust victim reclaims Nazi-looted art
-
NASA Mars rover captures rock that could hold fossilized microbes
-
Thousands evacuate season's biggest wildfire in northern California
-
Sinaloa Cartel co-founder pleads not guilty after stunning US capture
-
Ethiopia mourns victims of landslide tragedy
-
Lady Gaga adds sparkle to star-studded Olympic show
-
Airbus and Boeing supremacy secure despite turbulence
-
Teams sail down Seine in rain-soaked Olympics opening ceremony
-
Norris hoping for more after topping Belgian practice times
-
West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third Test
-
Trump slams rivals as he meets Netanyahu in Florida
-
Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine
-
Mott's England future uncertain as ECB chief fails to offer support
-
Trump meets Israeli PM Netanyahu in Florida
-
S.African police say 95 Libyans detained at suspected military camp
-
Blinken set for talks with Chinese counterpart in Laos
-
Norris heads Piastri in McLaren one-two at Belgian GP practice
-
G20 seeks common ground on taxing super-rich
-
European medicines watchdog rejects new Alzheimer's drug
-
Harris gets vital Obama backing in battle against Trump
-
Habib, Ebden eye Alcaraz and Djokovic shocks at Olympics tennis
-
Stocks rise as inflation data boosts rate cut hopes
-
Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris opening ceremony
-
Two Sinaloa Cartel leaders face US charges after stunning capture
-
Spain train driver jailed for 2.5 years over deadly 2013 crash
-
Paris poised for Olympic opening ceremony spectacular
-
Judoka fails doping test in first case at Paris Olympics
-
Holder and Da Silva keep England at bay after West Indies collapse
-
Alpine F1 boss Bruno Famin to leave in August
-
Ethiopia declares three days of mourning after landslide tragedy
-
Brazilian dunes dotted with dazzling pools make UNESCO heritage list
-
Rain, cooling slow huge blaze in Canada's Jasper park
-
French Rugby's Jaminet suspended 34 weeks after racist video: Federation
![Tavatanakit holds off charging Valenzuela to win LPGA Thailand](https://www.berlinertageblatt.de/media/shared/articles/98/13/8f/Tavatanakit-holds-off-charging-Vale-588511.jpg)
Tavatanakit holds off charging Valenzuela to win LPGA Thailand
Patty Tavatanakit needed a birdie at the 18th hole to hold off Switzerland's Albane Valenzuela by one stroke in a nail-biting finale to the LPGA Thailand on Sunday.
It was the second victory in consecutive weeks for former major champion Tavatanakit, who won the Saudi International on the Ladies European Tour seven days ago.
Tavatanakit finished on 21-under 267 after a round of 67 to withstand a charge from the gutsy world number 91 Valenzuela, who fired six birdies on the back nine on her way to a nine-under par 63.
Tavatanakit coolly chipped her third shot at the par-five 18th to a few inches and burst into tears after she tapped home the winning putt at Siam Country Club, Pattaya, after a titanic struggle on the back nine.
"It was a lot of emotions," admitted Tavatanakit. "It was joy. I felt so proud.
"I had so much pressure on me today just playing in front of the home crowd, and I was able to do that," she said.
"I just felt like, OK, like I need to make up and down to win the match," she said. "Soon as it stopped about couple inches away from the hole, I was like, yep, I won."
South Korea's Kim Sei-young and Choi Hye-jin tied for third, two shots further adrift, at the $1.7 million tournament.
Valenzuela held the clubhouse lead Sunday after she finished on 20-under 268 and Tavatanakit, who had started the day three strokes clear of the field, dropped her only shot of the round at the par-four 15th.
But the Thai world number 43 composed herself to birdie the 16th and 18th and lift her second career LPGA title after the 2021 ANA Inspiration, one of five women's majors.
"I'm honestly speechless right now," said Tavatanakit.
"It's a dream come true to win here. It was unbelievable. I still couldn't believe I did that today."
Tavatanakit is only the second homegrown player to win the LPGA Thailand after Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021.
- 'It's pretty surreal' -
"I was outside the ropes (watching) at one point in my life and now I'm inside, get to play with all these amazing girls," she said.
"They're the best in the world. To be able to close it out is pretty surreal right now."
Valenzuela stormed out of the gates with a birdie at the first and an eagle two at the par-four fifth before charging into the lead briefly with a remarkable run of six birdies in her final eight holes.
"I'm just really just proud of myself. I just fought really hard," said Valenzuela, who started the day five shots behind Tavatanakit.
"I gave everything I had. I did not leave anything off the table. Dug in deep but also stayed extremely calm. I want to be in this position more often, and I hope I'll put myself in this position next time."
J.Horn--BTB