It took a horrific collapse for her to win.

Thailand’s new golden golfer Ariya “Nong May” Jutanugarn failed on the final hole to take out the US$1.5 million Honda LPGA Thailand title, missing out narrowly in becoming the first Thai to win an LPGA event in her first major appearance as a professional.

Korean world number four Inbee Park claimed the honours after the teenage local star suffered heartbreak after throwing away a two-shot lead on the 18th.

Park returned to the clubhouse with a final-round 67 and 12-under for the tournament overall (67-71-71-67), edging 17-year-old Ariya by a shot after the home favourite triple-bogeyed the last and left the final green in tears.

Working with a three-stroke lead compiled Saturday, the sensational 17-year-old opened her final round Sunday with a birdie on the first hole.- Bangkok Post

Ariya Jutanugarn,  made triple bogey on the tournament’s final hole. I can’t remember a worse LPGA final hole collapse(double bogey or worse by a leader) since Pat Hurst lost a 2002 tournament by 4-putting the last hole for double bogey. If not for her 72nd hole disaster, Jutanugarn would have been the first golfer born in Thailand to win on the LPGA Tour. She is a past winner of the United States Girls Amateur And  US Amateur Public Links for women.

Inbee Park notched her 4th LPGA win, and third since last summer. Park was last year’s money winner. She is already looking like a strong contender to defend that title.