Liu wins Golden Mountain Challenge in fifth-hole playoff

Liu Babe won her second title of the China LPGA Tour season Saturday when the Chinese-Taipei native beat Chinese amateur Yan Jing in the fifth hole of a playoff at the Bank of Qingdao Golden Mountain Challenge in Shandong province.

With both players deadlocked at 5-under 211 through 54 holes of regulation play at Golden Mountain Golf Club, the 21-year-old Liu (70), winner of the season-opening Macao Challenge, showed her experience in the sudden death when she shot a par as the amateur Yan (72) three-putted for a bogey five, reports Xinhua.

"This year I have had two wins so far, it kind of affirms for my hard efforts," said Taoyuan native Liu, clearly showing signs of exhaustion.

"I knew the more extra holes we would play, the more chances I would have. I believed in my physical strength. I didn't play better at the playoff than in regulation play, but finally I did it. I cannot be happier."

Yan, the two-time silver medal winner for China at the 2010 Asian Games who will attend Washington University in St. Louis on a scholarship this fall, could only lament the chances she had to capture her first pro victory.

"I missed two great chances in the playoff. In the second extra hole I read the wrong line and missed that short putt, which is disappointing," she said.

"But Liu Babe played great, she deserved it. I played great, too. I am looking forward to the next stop in two weeks. I won't play in Beijing, but I am going to Wuxi for the Srixon Ladies Open. I will try to be better next time."