Park handed Thailand title

Last updated: 24th February 2013

Inbee Park was the beneficiary of an unfortunate implosion from local teenager Ariya Jutanugarn as she won the Thailand Open.

Jutanugarn headed into the final hole with a two-shot lead over Park, but the 17-year-old stumbled to a triple-bogey to finish one shot back. While their was reason to cheer for Park, a distraught Jutanugarn left the final green in tears.

The home favourite had begun the final day with a three-shot lead, but she had been caught by the chasing pack by the end of the 11th. However, she responded in style with a hole-in-one at the 12th before adding a birdie at the next hole.

Despite dropping a shot at the 15th, Jutanugarn looked into control on her arrival at the final tee but it was here that it all went wrong. With a three-footer required to force a play-off, she watched in agony as her putt curled around the lip.

"I was really disappointed because I went onto the course hoping to win not for myself but for the whole country. A lot of people came to support me and wanted to see me win. But I didn't make it. However, I was so happy that they still supported me even I didn't live up to their expectations," said Jutanugarn.

"I went for two shots on instead of three on the 18th hole. I was crazy to do that and I learned my lesson. I thought I would finish with a bogey at worst and win by a shot but I never imagined this," she added.

Credit must go to Park who made sure she remained in contention with a round of 67 to set a clubhouse score of 12 under.

The South Korean admitted she was still in shock over the final result.

"I don't know what to say... I'm still shocked," said Park. "Nobody expected this, but it's golf. She (Ariya) has played incredible golf over the last few days. I feel really bad for her to lose on the final hole... but it will be a big lesson to her."