NAPLES, Fla. – Breaking away early from a star-studded leaderboard and then hanging on down the stretch, the biggest name in women's golf in China won the LPGA Tour's largest prize Sunday at the season-ending CME Group Titleholders.
Shanshan Feng, the only player from China to win a major championship, made birdies on four of her first six holes, added two more in the final four holes and shot 6-under-par 66 on the Gold Course at windy Tiburon Golf Club to beat Gerina Piller by one shot and pocket $700,000.
Feng, who didn't have a three-putt all week and had only 27 putts in the final round, finished at 15 under and ended her season with two victories in her last four events.
Piller, trying to win her first LPGA tour title, shot 69 but missed a 10-foot putt for birdie on the final hole that would have forced a playoff.
"Before the round I didn't think I was going to win," said Feng, who last month won the Reignwood LPGA Classic in China and last year won the Wegmans LPGA Championship. "Even though I knew I was only 2 behind, I wasn't going to give myself too much pressure. I think a top 5 is a good result ... but I ended up with winning by one, so it's more happy.
Feng will move to 4th in the world.
Piller said she hit a good putt on the 72nd hole but didn't read in enough break. She was far from dejected, however.
"To come out and grind like I did and give myself an opportunity to force a playoff, I'm pretty excited about that," said Piller, who played in her first Solheim Cup this year.
Pornanong Phatlum, who began the day tied for the lead with Piller and Natalie Gulbis, finished two back after a 70. Sandra Gal, who began the tournament with six birdies in a row, ended up three back after a 69.
World No. 1 Inbee Park closed with a 68 to finish fifth. World No. 3 Stacy Lewis (71) and Cristie Kerr (69) led a group in a tie for sixth.
Michelle Wie, who started the day two shots out of the lead, shot 72 and fell into a tie for 11th. Gulbis, looking for her first victory since 2007, stumbled with an 82.
Lydia Ko, 16, making her professional debut as the No. 5-ranked player in the world, finished at 4 under with a closing 70. She won $16,063. "I've learned a lot of things this week, and I'm pretty happy that my first week is gone," Ko said. "I didn't think about money at all this week, which is great. I hope to continue to maintain that for the rest of my career."
Park, who became the first South Korean to win the Rolex Player of the Year award this season, finished with six wins, three majors and the No. 1 ranking in the world. She also won the money title.
"I'll probably remain in the No. 1 spot, so that's good for another few months," Park said. "I'm just going to enjoy my time being up there. Doesn't matter how long I'm going to be staying up there, but I'll just try to enjoy myself."
Despite a disappointing final round, Lewis, last year's player of the year, edged out world No. 2 Suzann Pettersen and became the first American in 18 years to win the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average.
The LPGA tour's 2014 season will begin in the Bahamas Jan. 23-26 and will feature 32 official events, up from four this season and nine more than 2011.
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