Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum birdied the last two holes to beat American Stacy Lewis by a shot Saturday in the final round of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
Lewis, No. 3 in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings, recorded her fourth second-place finish this year to go with her three titles in 2013. That’s the 19th top-10 finish for Lewis this season, her 11th in a row.
“I’m disappointed,” Lewis told reporters afterward. “The back nine Pornanong played was pretty impressive. She hit golf shots when she needed to and made the putts, and I didn’t.”
Phatlum, who started the final round two shots behind Lewis, started the week No. 47 in the Rolex world rankings. She closed with a 6-under-par 66 Saturday. Lewis closed with a 69. Though Phatlum, 24, a four-year LPGA pro, has yet to win an LPGA event, she has been a factor a number of times this year. Two weeks ago, she finished third at the CME Group Titleholders, the LPGA’s season finale. She now has two Ladies European Tour titles to go with her seven Ladies Asian Tour wins.
“I played my own game and stayed calm under pressure,” Phatlum said.