South Korea's Lee wins on LPGA Tour for first time since 2017

BEIJING - Mi Hyang Lee won on the LPGA Tour for the first time in almost nine years Sunday with a gutsy one-stroke victory at the Blue Bay event in Hainan, China.

The South Korean recovered from two double bogeys on her front nine to birdie the last hole for a final-round 73 and claim her third LPGA title.

Lee finished on 11-under 277, one shot ahead of China's charging Zhang Weiwei (69).

It was the 32-year-old Lee's first LPGA Tour title since the Women's Scottish Open in 2017. She also won the 2014 TOTO Japan Classic.

"I trusted myself this morning, but I was... I can feel I was nervous. You know, I really wanted to win," said Lee, who continues to battle shoulder pain.

Lee, who came into the final round with a three-shot lead, admitted she was "really struggling" after her two double bogeys.

"Then a lot of up and down... but I still just kept fighting at the back nine and just no bogey and three birdies, so I'm really proud of myself," she said.

She added: "Still I cannot believe it. It feels so great."

India's Aditi Ashok and Auston Kim of the United States were tied for third on eight-under.

Defending champion Rio Takeda of Japan finished one shot further back in a four-way tie for fifth.