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England’s hopes of claiming the Aramco China Championship title faded on the final day in Shenzhen as Spain’s Ana Pelaez charged to victory with a brilliant nine-under round of 64, which featured a memorable hole-in-one. Charlotte Heath had shared the overnight lead with Pelaez’s compatriot Luna Sobron at 16 under par, while Mimi Rhodes started one shot behind and Annabell Fuller trailed by three strokes.
English Contenders Fall Short in Shenzhen
Fuller made a blistering start on Sunday by picking up four birdies in her opening six holes to reach 16 under. However, she struggled on the back nine with three bogeys before closing with a birdie to finish at 14 under in ninth place, six shots behind the champion after signing for a one-under par round.
Heath carded an even-par 73 containing two birdies and two bogeys, leaving Rhodes as the highest-placed English competitor. Rhodes, a three-time winner on the circuit in 2025 who made her Solheim Cup debut for Team Europe in September, shot a blemish-free, two-under 71 with birdies at the fourth and 17th holes to claim outright second place on 17 under.
Pelaez Claims Memorable Victory
Pelaez produced an irresistible display at Mission Hills, starting the day in 10th place and five strokes off the pace. Her round included seven birdies—finishing with three in a row—and a brilliant ace at the par-three 13th hole to secure her first tour win since the 2022 Madrid Ladies Open.
Reflecting on her triumph, Pelaez said as reported by Sky Sports, “It’s been tough. At one point, I thought I would never be in this position again. It’s hard to believe in yourself when you’re not feeling okay.”
She added, “I know deep in my heart that it was the most enjoyable round I have ever played. I think it’s because hard work does pay off. I have been trying to win, but not needing to win as enjoying the game was the most important.”
Sobron shared third place on 16 under alongside Heath, alongside Chinese players Shiyuan Zhou, Ruixin Liu, and Liqi Zeng, after shooting a 73. Another English golfer, Alice Hewson, finished in a tie for 20th position on 11 under.
Sakuma Secures Toto Japan Classic Crown
Meanwhile, on the LPGA Tour, Shuri Sakuma clinched her maiden circuit title with a comfortable four-stroke victory at the Toto Japan Classic in her home country. Sakuma, a former eight-time winner on the LPGA of Japan Tour, posted a closing eight-under 64 at the Taiheiyo Club Minori Course to finish 20 under par overall.
She finished four shots ahead of 54-hole leader Akie Iwai, who carded a one-under 71 to take second place at 16 under. The tournament concluded the LPGA Tour’s late-season Asian Swing, which previously visited China, South Korea, and Malaysia, before the tour heads to Florida next week for The Annika.
