The 2015 Hitachi Ladies Classic is the first tournament counting toward the World Rankings around the globe in the new season. The purse has been increased to NT$ 10 million since 2013 from NT$4 million in its inception year and the winner will receive a first-place prize of NT$2.5 million.

 

Huang Hsien-Wen (黃賢雯) used a late charge on the back nine with four birdies to fight back into contention, sitting at solo third with just 2 shots back of lead at 144.

 

Charley Hull, the 2014 Order of Merit (leading money winner) on the Ladies European Tour (LET) fired a 3-under 69, tentatively the low round of the tournament, to surge into a tie for fourth with Phoebe Yao (姚宣榆) and Wei Yun-Jye (魏筠潔) at 145. Another shot adrift is Hitachi player Yeh Hsin-Ning (葉欣寧), who carded a 2-under 70 today and will be chasing her first TLPGA Tour title.

 

Phatlum, who finished 2014 inside the top 20 on the LPGA Money List, is a three-time winner here at the Orient Golf & Country Club, holding up the trophy in 2011, 2013, and 2014.

 

It was kind of a topsy-turvy scoring day for Phatlum, as she tallied an eagle with a miraculous 75-foot putt on the par-5 10th right after a double-bogey due to shanking a ball into water hazard on Hole 9, as well as three birdies and two bogeys.

 

“It was very lucky,” said the Thai number 1. “I want to thank my caddie this week. He helped me a lot and gave me a lot of good advice on the distance and about the conditions. It was not easy with the wind. I was not that confident with my shots, but him being on the range really helped.”

 

“There are some very good local players playing some strong, aggressive golf. I will not give myself too much pressure to win. I had some nice memories in this tournament and I will certainly go out there to enjoy my last round here.” Phatlum said of the final Sunday.

 

Having three birdies and bogeys each to score at even-par, Lin kept herself in a decent position for her first victory on home soil. Lin owns two titles on the China LPGA Tour but never had a taste of real success on the TLPGA Tour. “I’m going to stay very aggressive, especially on the par-5s.” She and compatriot Huang, who is also seeking her first major title on the TLPGA Tour, will tee off with Phatlum in the last group tomorrow at 10:40 a.m..

 

2014 Japan LPGA season-ending Ricoh Cup champion Teresa Lu (盧曉晴) still couldn’t find her range. She had five birdies and five bogeys, including three 3-putts. “It was frustrating,” said Lu. “There were quite a few holes when the ball circled around the cup and just slipped out. I had the right tactics but apparently not very good execution.”

 

This year the 2015 Hitachi Ladies Classic marks its seventh edition of the tournament, staged as the season-opening event on the TLPGA Tour for the second straight year, as Hitachi celebrates its 50th anniversary. Annual proceeds from the tournament and an equal bonus from Hitachi Ltd. and Taiwan Hitachi Co., Ltd. will be used to benefit nine local charities. Over the last six years, the tournament has raised donation exceeding NT$25 million.