(1 May 2011 – Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, Japan)
rn
Japanese legend Yuri Fudoh took last week off to recharge after winning the previous week and came back to beat a hot field and secure her 50th LPGA of Japan career title at the Cyber Agent Ladies on Sunday. In the process, she beat World No.2 Jiyai Shin into second place by three shots with a trio of local Japanese players another three shots back in third place: Chie Arimura, Miki Saiki and Yumiko Yoshida.
rn
rnHeading into the final round, Fudoh and Shin were at 6-under par, holding a three shot lead over a host of players, none of whom could make up any ground on Fudoh. It turned out to be a battle in two, one which the experienced Fudoh held the upper-hand all day.
rn
rnFudoh picked up three birdies and a bogey on the front nine, while Shin mixed two birdies with a bogey and a double to fall three shots behind at the turn. Fudoh then consolidated with six straight pars to start the back nine while Shin could only find one birdie to narrow the margin to two shots.
rn
rnBack-to-back birdies by Fudoh at the 16th and 17th holes saw her lead stretched to four shots and the title was hers barring a complete disaster up 18. That wasn’t likely and she made a regulation par to Shin’s birdie to claim the three stroke victory. The 34-year-old is only the 4th player to reach the 50 wins mark joining compatriots Hisako Higuchi, Ayako Okamoto and Taiwan’s Tu Ai-yu.
rn
rnAfter her round, Fudoh said, “I thought, ‘Have I really won that many titles?’ The win that sticks in my mind most is my first (at the 1999 Itoen Ladies).” Fudoh forged to the lead in the Money List on the back of second win, a title she has won six times in her illustrious career.
rn
rnTamie Durdin was the only Australian to make the cut, finishing in a tie for 22nd after a disappointing final round of 4-over par 76 saw her slip from a tie for 7th heading into the final round.