(4 October 2010 – Bando, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan)
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The crowd were probably hoping it would be Ai Miyazato who would win their national Open but Mika Miyazato followed in her namesake&aposs footsteps with an emphatic six shot victory. Just one week before her 21st birthday, she became the second youngest winner of the Japan Women’s Open Championship, eclipsed only by Ai who won the title in 2005 at 20 years and 105 days. Miyazato finished the tournament at 12-under par total 276, streets ahead of second placed Miki Saiki at 6-under with Sun-Ju Ahn in outright third at 5-under par.
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rnAs was the case last year Miyazato entered the final round with a four shot lead but she would show no signs of capitulating as she did 12 months previously. However, she would have been a little nervous after making four bogeys in her final five holes in the third round reducing her lead from a whopping 8 shots to give the chasing pack some semblance of a chance with 18 holes to go.
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rnAyako Uehara was the closest challenger heading into the final day but any chance she had of bridging the gap were dealt a huge blow with a double-bogey at the second hole. Meanwhile, Miyazato was playing flawless golf, picking up two birdies and seven pars on the front nine to move to 10-under par and seemingly coasting to victory.
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rnAhn, the leading player on the money list was the only player making a run, picking up three birdies on the front nine and finishing with the day’s low round of 5-under par 67. However, it was all too little, too late as Miyazato continued her dominance with three birdies in row from the 13th hole to move to 13-under. A final hole bogey may have soured the round somewhat but it was of little significance as she finished a week of authority with a final round of 4-under par 68 to add to earlier rounds of 68, 67 and 73.
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It was Miyazato’s first title as a professional who plays on the US LPGA and it came as somewhat of a relief after falling to a tie for 6th last year. The 2006 World Junior Champion commented on this after her round, saying, “It was very disappointing last year. This time I wanted to show the gallery how much I’ve grown as a golfer. I’m glad I was able to improve my score today.”
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rnAsked about her late stumble in the third round, she said, “I just lacked aggressiveness.” It didn’t affect her heading into the final round saying, “I wasn’t nervous at the start of the round. It’s an unbelievable feeling to win this major tournament in Japan. I hope I’ll get a win in the US too.”
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rnNikki Campbell was Australia’s only competitor this week and finished in a tie for 33rd, after what can only be described as a disastrous third round of 81, albeit in difficult conditions, leaving her out of the running. She remains in the Top-10 on the Money List at 9th with ¥49,998,475 (approx. AUD$617,136) in season earnings.
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Photos courtesy of LPGA of Japan and Japan Golf Association.