The pair finished regulation play tied at one-under-par on 215. Ya Ni ended her final round with a three-over 75 and Russamee finished with a two-over 74.

"I didn't apply myself from the 15th hole. I played stupidly," said Ya Ni, whose double-bogey on the short par-four 15th jilted her confidence.

"I should have used a three-wood but instead I was greedy and opted for the driver. I got into the bunker and then three-putted. I was really stupid. It  allowed Russamee to level up with me. I should have just played it safe to finish and the play-off would not have materialised."

The Taiwanese made amends in the play-off with a spectacular 20-foot downhill putt to record her first win since turning professional 80 days ago.

"I did not get a good shot off the tee. It landed on the fairways of the neighbouring first hole. From there I hit a terrific shot over the trees that separate both fairways. It landed 30 yards short of the green. I then hit the ball to about 20 feet to the pin and finished with a marvellous putt to post a birdie," Ya Ni said.

Russamee will never forget her third shot, which went into the lake for a drink. "It was this shot that separated the winner and me," she said.