(19 March, 2012 – Aira, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan)
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South Korea filled the podium at the latest LPGA of Japan event on Sunday. The experienced Ji-Hee Lee came out on top with a one stroke victory at the T-Point Ladies Golf Tournament to record her 16 Tour victory. Soo-Yun Kang finished in outright second while overnight leader Eun-Bi Jang tied with Ritsuko Ryu in third place a shot further back.
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rnAs with so many of the Japanese tournaments, there were a multitude of players heading into the final round who could win the tournament. In fact, 14 players were within four shots of the lead. Lee had started the day at 4-under par, two shots behind Jang. By the time they made the turn, both of these players were tied for the lead at 5-under with Kang and it was still anyone’s tournament.
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rnWith birdies difficult to come by in the wet conditions, the bogey by Lee on the 11th hole might have seemed slightly disastrous; however she bounced back with consecutive birdies at 12 and 13 to move to 6-under par. She was joined in the lead by Kang who made birdie on the 12th. This was to be Kang’s last birdie and she had to settle for a round of 1-under par 71 and second place.
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rnLee wrapped up the win with a clutch birdie putt on the par-3 17th as all her contenders had fallen by the wayside. She now sits third on the list of Korean winners on the Japanese Tour with 16 tournament wins. Mi-Jeong Jeon has 17 and they both trail Ok-Hee Ku who recorded 23 victories.
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rnUnfortunately, for Australia, Tamie Durdin missed the cut.
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