(1 November 2010 – Hanno, Saitama Prefecture, Japan)
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Japanese 20-year-old Rikako Morita waltzed around Musashigaoka Golf Club on Sunday, posting eleven birdies and one bogey to fire a record-equalling 10-under par 62, and collect her maiden career title at the rain-shortened Hisako Higuchi Ladies. Australia’s Tamie Durdin finished in a tie for second with Japan’s Chie Arimura, four shots adrift of Morita.
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rnThe second round was washed out due to torrential rain, and Australia’s Nikki Campbell headed into the final round tied for the lead at 4-under par. However, by the time she got on the course, Morita had joined her in the lead after three-straight birdies from the 2nd hole. She made her only bogey at the next hole and then proceeded to birdie four holes in a row from the 7th hole, made three pars from the 12th and birdied four of her last five holes to romp to a four-shot victory.
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rnDurdin, who needed a good finish to ensure her card for 2012, began the day at 2-under par and just two off the lead. However, with Morita’s onslaught just two groups ahead, the rest of the field were basically battling for second place. Durdin played solidly on the front nine with birdies at the 4th and 9th holes. She added four birdies and a bogey on the back-nine for a 5-under par round of 67 to eventually tie for second with Arimura, who shot 7-under 65. She moved up to a more comfortable 37th on the money list with the Top-50 retaining their cards for next season.
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rnUnfortunately for Campbell, the day off did her no favours, adding a round of 2-over par 74 to her opening 68 to finish in a tie for 18th. She remains in 11th on the money list. Susie Mathews also made the cut posting a final round of even par to move up to a tie for 41st.
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Photo courtesy of LPGA of Japan.
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