Yuka Saso’s valiant effort to stage a final-round comeback at the Honda LPGA Thailand came up short on the challenging Siam Country Club’s Old course, as local favorite Patty Tavatanakit emerged victorious in a thrilling finish in Chonburi on Sunday.

Heading into the final round, Tavatanakit held a four-shot lead over her closest competitor. Despite facing intense pressure, she maintained her composure and carded a solid four-under-par round through the first 10 holes. However, she faced a late challenge from Albane Valenzuela, who mounted a fierce rally with four birdies and an eagle in the closing stretch.

Tavatanakit showed resilience in the face of adversity, responding to Valenzuela’s surge with two crucial birdies in the last three holes. She closed out the round with a score of 67, securing a one-shot victory over the Swiss golfer with a total score of 21-under-par 267. Tavatanakit’s victory earned her the top purse of $255,000, adding to her impressive win at the Saudi Ladies Invitational the previous week.

Despite finishing joint 16th, Saso displayed her trademark determination throughout the tournament. While her bid for a comeback fell short, her performance underscored her status as one of the rising stars on the LPGA Tour.