Kansas University's Pornvipa Sakdee watches her shot on the second day of the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, at Alvamar.

Kansas University's Pornvipa Sakdee watches her shot on the second day of the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, at Alvamar.

Pornvipa “Faii” Sakdee, who finished in the top 20 of four golf tournaments her freshman year at Kansas University, claimed her first collegiate title Tuesday at Alvamar.

Sakdee, a sophomore from Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand, followed Monday’s rounds of 70 and 73 with a final-round 73 on Tuesday — good for even-par 216 — and claimed a three-stroke victory over Central Arkansas’ Fernanda Lira at the 2014 Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational.

KU’s Yupaporn Kawinpakorn slipped to a final-day 79 and tied for fifth with teammate Michelle Woods (76) at 6-over 222.

“I feel so happy. I’m glad I won. I wasn’t thinking about score or anything. I tried to focus within myself,” Sakdee said. “Today I putted well. My approach shots were good.”

In the team standings, Kansas State, which entered the final round six strokes behind KU, wound up defeating the runner-up Jayhawks by six strokes in the 11-team tourney.

“Today was a tough day, and obviously we are a little disappointed,” KU coach Erin O’Neil said. “We were leading going in and gave some shots away, but we learned a lot. I think it’s good to do it on the front end and figure out what we need to learn and adjust. We have a talented young group, so I just think we need to learn how to handle that pressure going forward. It was a good experience for us.”

Of Sakdee, she said: “Faii played great every round, played steady, made lots of birdies, which always helps. She’s a true competitor. It’s her first win. She’s a very talented player. I could see her winning many more in the coming years.”