(15 June 2010 – Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan)
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Australia&aposs Nikki Campbell suffered a heartbreaking loss at the Suntory Ladies Open on Sunday, the tournament eventually won by Japan&aposs Akane Iijima. Campbell made a double-bogey at her last hole to finish tied second with Yukari Baba, one shot behind Iijima. 2009 No.2 on the Money List, Shinobu Moromizato finished in outright 4th at even par.
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rnOn a difficult golf course that only gave up four rounds under 70 all week, Australia’s Miss Consistent was in her element with pars at a premium. She had started with two rounds of 1-under par 71 to sit one shot behind the leader at the halfway mark of the tournament. A third round of 2-over par 74, saw her slip to even par, four shots behind but still within striking distance. In fact, heading into the final round, there were 8 players within 5 shots of leader Baba, all with a realistic chance of securing victory.
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rnCampbell, playing in the third last group made a strong start with one birdie and 8 pars on the front nine to join Baba in the lead, who had dropped three shots on her outward nine. Campbell then made back-to-back birdies just after making the turn and enjoyed a one shot buffer at 3-under par over Baba, Iijima and Moromizato. The lead changed hands again as Campbell bogied 13 to slip back into a tie for the lead at 2-under as Iijima birdied the 12th hole. Moromizato fell out of contention with a double bogey at 12th while Baba kept her nose in it with a birdie at 14 to also move to 2-under.
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rnWith four holes to play, there was a three-way tie at the top until Iijima moved to the lead with a birdie at 15. Campbell rejoined the lead after a birdie at the par-3 17th hole. However, it was not to be for Campbell who made a double-bogey at the difficult finishing hole. Both Baba and Iijima made bogeys at the same hole leaving Iijima the victor by one shot.
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rnIt was a remarkable comeback by Iijima who had made four bogeys in a five hole stretch from the 5th hole and her win secured her a start in the Ricoh Women’s British Open in July as one of the five leading players on the Japanese Money List. It was her fifth career title and her first since 2008.
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rnFor Campbell, her consolation was a ¥7,900,000 (approx. AUD$101,235.00) cheque for second place, moving her up to 12th on the Money List with season earnings of ¥24,991,475 (approx. AUD$320,255.00).
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Photo&aposs courtesy of LPGA of Japan.