(20 April 2009 – Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan)
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South Korea&aposs Ji-Hee Lee pulled out a string of birdies over the final holes to capture a one stroke victory over Japanese superstar Sakura Yokomine at the Life Card Ladies Golf Tournament on Sunday. In a tournament where pars were at a premium, Lee finished the 54-hole event on 3-under par total 213. The Japanese duo of Erina Hara and Yuko Mitsuka finished in tie for third; a shot behind Yokomine at 1-under total 215.
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rnLee, ranked 43 on the Rolex Rankings, began the final round as the leader by one shot over Yokomine, who was looking for back-to-back victories after her win at the Studio Alice Ladies Open the previous week. After a 2nd hole bogey by Yokomine, Lee’s lead was out to two shots before both players traded pars up until the 7th. From here the tournament took it’s first dramatic twist with Lee stumbling to five straight bogey’s to fall back to 1-over par and three behind Yokomine.
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rnYokomine was playing steady par golf and completed her round with 16 straight pars for a 1-over par 73. It wasn’t to be enough though, as Lee finished with a flourish, making birdie at four of the last five holes to snatch an improbable victory. A two-putt birdie on the last was enough to seal the win with Yokomine missing her birdie putt to force a playoff.
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rnCommenting on her roller-coaster final round, Lee said, “It was a tough day. But I knew if I stayed patient, I could get a chance to win. I regained control of my round when I made a par putt at the 12th. I was able to regroup. That definitely led to this victory.” It was Lee’s first victory in 2009 moving her to 5th on the Money List and her 12th career title in Japan.
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rnTamie Durdin was the only Australian to make the cut finishing in a tie for 32nd at 9-over par total 225.
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rnPhoto by Anthony Powter – Tamie Durdin
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