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MoreGaby Lopez won her first LPGA Tour event with a one-over-par 73 to finish one shot ahead of world No.1 Ariya Jutanugarn in the Blue Bay tournament in China.
The just-turned 25-year-old Lopez had bogeys on the last two holes on Saturday at the Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club and almost let the title slip away. She finished at eight-under 280.
Playing in a group with Mexican world No.136 Lopez, No.1-ranked Jutanugarn of Thailand had a birdie on the final hole to also finish on 73 on Hainan Island.
Celine Boutier shot a 66 and finished two shots off the lead.
Lopez turned 25 on Friday and had a hole-in-one in the third round, which turned out to be the difference.
Lopez is the first winner from Mexico since Lorena Ochoa, a driving force for the game in the country.
"I mean, she's been my inspiration my entire life," Lopez said of Ochoa. "That's why I'm actually a professional golfer."
Ochoa was the LPGA's top-ranked golfer for several years until she retired in 2010. She won 27 LPGA Tour events.
Lopez said she was also thinking of her grandfather Jose who died recently.
"I always told him that I was going to give him my first trophy," Lopez said. "Sadly I didn't, but he was with me all week long and I couldn't be more lucky, more fortunate to have him still alive in me."
Jutanugarn played the last two rounds with Lopez and was happy for her - even in defeat.
"She did a great job last two days," Jutanugarn said, knowing Lopez was "nervous sometimes".
The tournament wrapped up five-straight weeks of play for the LPGA in Asia.
Australia's Hannah Green and Sarah Jane Smith finished in a three-way tie for 15th at three over for the event. Green was one under in her final round, while Smith went around in three under.
Two shots adrift at five over, compatriot Su Oh was tied 22nd after a one-over fourth round.
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