(21 June 2010 – Galloway, New Jersey)
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Japan&aposs Ai Miyazato turned 25 on Saturday and gave herself the best birthday presents possible; a win in the Shoprite LPGA Classic and the mantle of No.1 on the Rolex World Rankings. A final round of 7-under par 64 saw the diminutive Japanese starlet finish at 16-under par and secure victory by two-shots over Korea’s M.J. Hur. Inbee Park rounded out the Top-3 at 12-under par with Australia’s Katherine Hull in a three-way tie for 4th.
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rnAs usual in a three round tournament, it was tight at the top after two rounds; Hur leading the way at 11-under par, America’s Paula Creamer one shot behind with Miyazato and Hull a further shot back at 9-under. By the time they made the turn, Miyazato had notched four birdies to move to 13-under par, with Hur one shot back and Creamer and Hull two back.
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rnMiyazato continued her flawless bogey-free golf, picking up shots at the 10th and 14th holes to forge a two-shot lead with four to play. Bogeys by the trio Creamer (13th and 18th), Hur (15th) and Hull (16th) put paid to their chances, leaving Miyazato to coast home, adding another birdie to her collection on the 18th. Hur made birdies at the final three holes to move to second, but, for the fourth time this year Miyazato held aloft the trophy. It was the first time she had done so on American soil with her three other titles coming in Thailand, Singapore and Mexico.
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rnAfter her round she said, “I had such a good round today. I’ve won in Japan during my birthday week too, but having done so in America I feel is more special.” The winner’s cheque of US$225,000 moves her well clear on the money list where she now has US$830,237.75 in season earnings, $255,000 ahead of second placed Suzann Pettersen.
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rnIt was a good return to form for Hull who has been working on some things with her swing, her previous best finish of the LPGA season being a tie for 20th in Mexico. Karrie Webb was the next best of the ALPG players finishing in a tie for 8th after a final round of 7-under par 64. Rachel Hetherington made her second cut in a row since returning to play, finishing in a tie for 35th at 3-under par.
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rnThe second major of the year will be played this week with the LPGA Championship Presented by Wegmans. ALPG Members in the field are Tamie Durdin, Michelle Ellis, Rachel Hetherington, Katherine Hull, Sarah Kemp, Sarah-Jane Smith, Karrie Webb and Lindsey Wright.
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Photo by Paul Melville.