(23 August 2010 – Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan)
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The experienced Japanese veteran Akiko Fukushima held her nerve in an emotional victory at the CAT Ladies on Sunday. It has been two years since Fukushima&aposs last victory as she battled to come back from surgery just prior to the 2009 season. Birdies on the final two holes earned Fukushima her 24th title on the main tour, eventually triumphing by two shots over compatriot, Yukari Baba with Korea’s Yeo-Jin Kang another shot back in third.
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rnFukushima began the final round at 10-under par with a one shot advantage over both Baba and Kang with a trio of player’s two shots further back; Chie Arimura, Miki Saiki and Shinobu Moromizato. It was Baba who made the best start picking up three birdies in the opening four holes to open up a two shot buffer of her own. However, it was to be the last birdies of the day for Baba as she made 14 straight pars to finish her round.
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rnBy the 9th hole, Kang had joined Baba at 12-under par posting four birdies and a bogey in an outward half of 3-under par 33. Fukushima opened with a birdie but gave that shot back on the 3rd to play the front nine in even par. She made a birdie at the 10th but also gave that one back two holes later, while Kang dropped a shot at the 11th to leave Baba in front by a shot.
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Bouncing straight back from her bogey on the 12th hole, Fukushima notched back-to-back birdies on the next two holes to rejoin Baba in a share of the lead. Kang continued to mix birdies and bogeys and could only manage a round of 2-under par 71 to finish third. Her playing partners, Fukushima and Baba, were embroiled in a battle to the wire. In the end Baba could only watch as her solid play wasn’t good enough to match Fukushima who completed her round with birdies at the final two holes to complete a stirring victory.
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rnUnable to hold back tears, Fukushima said she feared she might never win again after surgery to remove gall stones, saying, “Both my physical condition and my golf were day-to-day, and I often thought I might never win again. It’s been a long two years.” The win moves her up to 19th on the Money List, a title she has won twice says she joined the Tour in 1992.
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rnTamie Durdin was the only Australian to compete this week finishing in a tie for 39th at even par. A much better finish looked likely after a pair of 71’s to open with saw her in a tie for 18th. Unfortunately a disappointing final round of 4-over par 77 saw her slip down the leaderboard.