Helen storms to victory

HAIKOU – Helen Alfredsson stormed to a stunning victory at the inaugural Grand China Air LPGA yesterday, shooting a seven-under 65 after trailing by five shots overnight.

The 43-year-old Swede, who beat Taiwan’s Yani Tseng by three strokes, finished with a 54-hole total of 12-under-par 204 to pocket the 270 000-dollar winner’s cheque. Tseng finished with a final round four-under-par 68 at the Hainan West Coast Golf Club, in Haikou, the capital of China’s island province of Hainan.First-round leader, America’s Laura Diaz, could only manage a 72 in the final round to finish alone in third spot, a shot behind Tseng.And a 75 for Karen Stupples of England, the leader after the first two rounds, relegated her to fourth with a seven-under 209.A quick start, with birdies at the first two holes, was the key for Alfredsson, eighth in the world before the tournament started.The Swede was into gear quickly with birdies at the opening two holes.She picked up three further shots on the front nine, turning in five-under 30 and took the lead with her sixth birdie of the day at the par-fourth 10th.On a day when no other player shot lower than 68, Alfredsson, whose win at July’s Evian Masters was her first since 2003, credited her fitness for her impressive scoring.Nampa-AFPTseng finished with a final round four-under-par 68 at the Hainan West Coast Golf Club, in Haikou, the capital of China’s island province of Hainan.First-round leader, America’s Laura Diaz, could only manage a 72 in the final round to finish alone in third spot, a shot behind Tseng.And a 75 for Karen Stupples of England, the leader after the first two rounds, relegated her to fourth with a seven-under 209.A quick start, with birdies at the first two holes, was the key for Alfredsson, eighth in the world before the tournament started.The Swede was into gear quickly with birdies at the opening two holes.She picked up three further shots on the front nine, turning in five-under 30 and took the lead with her sixth birdie of the day at the par-fourth 10th.On a day when no other player shot lower than 68, Alfredsson, whose win at July’s Evian Masters was her first since 2003, credited her fitness for her impressive scoring.Nampa-AFP