Sörenstam shot a seven-under 65 at the Suzhou Taihu International Golf Club,

for a three-round total of a 13-under par 203 to tie with Ye at the end of regulation play.

Both Ye and Sörenstam birdied the first play-off hole but the Swede prevailed at the second play-off hole when Ye missed a close putt.

“I had a good start and that’s what I wanted to do. Ye played well throughout the tournament and it was difficult to play the catch-up game with her until I managed to draw level at the 15th hole,” said Sörenstam.

Asked what she whispered to Ye while they hugged after the second play-off hole, Sörenstam said: “I told her, ‘you had a good game. This time it’s mine and yours will come too.'”

Ye admitted it had been a learning curve.

“I hope to learn from this experience and improve further to be able to participate in big tournaments,” she said.

Tied in third place were Thailand’s Porani Chutichai, Amanda Moltke-Leth of Denmark and Australia’s Karen Lunn, who is also chairwoman of the Ladies European Tour (LET).

“This is one of my best performances in a tournament in recent times. I had a good week, striking the ball well but never felt comfortable with the putter,” said Porani.

The Swede is calling it quits at the end of the season to start a family and focus on her business interests although she has left open the possibility of making a return to competitive golf at some point in the future.