(Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan)
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rnJapanese starlet Shinobu Moromizato held off a late charge from America&aposs Paula Creamer, South Korea&aposs Mi-Jeong Jeon and compatriot Akiko Fukushima to secure her second major Japanese title on Sunday at the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup. Holding on to a 3-shot lead for most of the day, Moromizato held her nerve over the final two holes to outlast the fast finishing trio and claim her fourth career title by just one shot. Australia’s Tamie Durdin finished in a tie for 7th amongst one of the strongest fields of the year.
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rnIn a tournament with persistent rain delays, some players had to play 36 holes on the Saturday. However, by Sunday the weather was fine and Moromizato began the final round at 10-under par, holding a two-shot lead over Fukushima with Jeon a further shot back in third. Creamer began the final round five shots adrift in a tie for 6th.
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rnThe scoring on the front nine was splendid with Moromizato, Jeon and Creamer all posting scores of 4-under par 32. Fukushima had also picked up two shots but Moromizato’s lead was now out to three shots over Jeon with nine holes to play. This was reduced to two with a birdie by Jeon at the 12th and Creamer was now within three after back-to-back birdies on 11 and 12. Moromizato made bogey at the 16th and her one-time comfortable lead was now just one shot over Creamer with two to play. But there was to be another twist when Jeon birdied and Fukushima eagled the par-5 17th.
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rnMoromizato stood on the 18th with a one-shot lead, Creamer in the group ahead needing a birdie to join her, Jeon and Fukushima in the same group also needing a birdie. In the end, none of the three players could manage the necessary birdie as Moromizato made a regulation par to add to her Japan Women’s Open in 2007 as her ‘Major’ victories. An excited Moromizato said afterwards, “The other contenders were playing very well, so that helped me concentrate on my each shot. Now I feel I can better deal with tough situations. I’ve got strong mentally.”
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Durdin again put in a solid performance with rounds of 69, 71, 70 and 70 seeing her finish in a tie for 7th at 8-under par 280. It was by far her best finish in a major and she collected just over AUD$45,000.00 for her efforts. Unfortunately Nikki Campbell missed the cut after rounds of 74 and 76.
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Photo by Anthony Powter – Tamie Durdin