KUALA LUMPUR, October 16, 2011 (AFP) - South Korea's Choi Na-Yeon held off a hard-charging world number one Yani Tseng to win the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia in an exciting finish at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club on Sunday.
The world number four carded a nervous 3-under 68 to finish on 15-under 269 to claim the top prize of $285,000.
Taiwan's Tseng, who edged past Choi to win a tournament last week in South Korea, had to settle for second despite equalling the course record with a six-under 65 to end the competition at 14-under 270.
"This week I had a great feeling. So I played very well," Choi told reporters.
"I kept watching the leaderboard. She (Tseng) is so intimidating."
The duo were tied for the lead on 14-under until Choi's tee shot from the 17th landed less than 10 feet from the hole and she coolly putted in to give her some breathing space.
Over at the 18th, the 22-year-old Tseng missed a 20-foot birdie putt and a chance to regain a share of the lead.
Her course-record 65 was a gallant effort from the world number one, but not enough to collect her seventh title of the season.
For Choi, who has had nine top 10 finishes this season, the victory in Malaysia was her first of the season.
The 23-year-old attributed her win to a new found ability to relax.
"When I started to play this year, I think I put too much pressure on myself. Then I told myself that I should play one shot at a time and play with fun," Choi said.
Meanwhile Tseng vowed to win on her home turf next week with more consistent play.
"I am expected to do my best and to win next week. I should play with more consistency and treat everyday as the last day," she told reporters.
Tseng who has had a dominating year, winning six of the 18 LPGA events she's played in and finishing in the top 10 11 times, heaped praise on her rival Choi.
"She played very well. For sure I felt some pressure. Last week I won, this week, she won."
After winning twice in Australian LPGA events early in the year, Tseng was propelled to the top spot.
Tseng is expected to hold her number one position with only five LPGA tournaments left on this year's schedule.
Final-round scores Sunday at the $1.9 million Sime Darby LPGA tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
269 - Choi Na-Yeon (KOR) 66-68-67-68
270 - Yani Tseng (TPE) 69-67-69-65
272 - Azahara Munoz (ESP) 67-68-68-69
274 - Pak Se-Ri (KOR) 72-68-65-69
275 - Stacy Lewis (USA) 68-65-72-70, Brittany Lang (USA) 66-67-69-73
277 - Angela Stanford (USA) 71-71-68-67, Suzann Pettersen (NOR) 68-69-69-71
278 - Christel Boeljon (NED) 68-73-71-66, Feng Shanshan (CHN) 68-73-70-67, Amanda Blumenherst (USA) 70-69-71-68, Paula Creamer (USA) 71-67-69-71
279 - Shin Ji-Yai (KOR) 70-69-73-67, Kim In-Kyung (KOR) 68-68-72-71
280 - Maria Hjorth (SWE) 66-76-71-67, Amy Yang (KOR) 69-69-74-68, Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 79-67-65- 69