(26 July – Evian-les-Bains, France)
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Japans Ai Miyazato won the Evian Masters with a birdie at the first hole of a sudden death playoff against Swedens Sophie Gustafson at Evian Masters Golf Club in France on Sunday. After hitting her second shot into the bunker on the 477-yard par five 18th hole in the playoff, she rolled in a three foot birdie putt to claim her first LPGA/Ladies European Tour victory.
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rnThe 24-year-old from Okinawa and a regular visitor to Australia became the second Japanese winner of the Evian Masters 12 years after Hiromi Kobayashi won the event in a playoff in 1997. “I feel very happy at the moment. I was dreaming about this when I was young, so my dream has almost come true. I feel great,” said Miyazato, who earned a first prize of US$487,500. “I didn’t watch the score board until the end of the final round. I was just trying to make birdies and I tried to control myself.”
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rnMiyazato recorded rounds of 69, 66, 70 and 69 for a four round total of 14-under par 274. She sank a 10 foot birdie putt on the 18th in regulation play to reach that score, before Gustafson tapped in for birdie to join her.
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rnGustafson shot a 2-under par 70 today to finish at 14-under par 274. She commented in her press conference after that her putter was not working today which cost her dearly, she missed four putts under four feet.
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rnOnly one shot behind Miyazato and Gustafson tied for third was South Korean Meena Lee, who carded the low round of the tournament a seven-under par 65 to finish at 13-under par 275 with American Cristie Kerr.
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rnThe best placed ALPG member was Karrie Webb who finished tied fifth. Webb was in touch with the leaders all day and after birding the 10th she got to 11-under par and only one shot behind. She then parred the next five holes before a costly bogey on the par 4 16th. Webb hit back with a birdie on the 17th to finish at 11-under par. Tied with Webb was defending champion Helen Alfreddson and American Paula Creamer.
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rnThe next best placed ALPG member was Albury&aposs Lindsey Wright, who carded a 3-under par 69 to finish at five-under par total 283 and tied for 23rd. Rachel Hetherington shot a two-under par 70 to finish at three-under par total 285 and tied 30th. Katherine Hull posted her best round of the week a five-under 67 to finish at one-under par 287 and tied 44th.
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rnThe tour moves onto the last major of the year, the RICOH Women&aposs British Open being played at Royal Lytham and St Anne&aposs in England.