(29 June 2009 – Kato, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan)
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Shinobu Moromizato, again confirmed herself as Japan&aposs newest female golfing superstar, collecting her third title of the season and second in three weeks at the Promise Ladies Golf Tournament over the weekend. Played at the Madame J Golf Club, Moromizato recorded just one bogey in 54 holes to eventually run out the victor by 5 shots over Korea&aposs Ji-Hee Lee. Sakura Yokomine, the other ‘darling’ of Japanese golf finished strongly with a final round 7-under par 65 to finish outright third.
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rnMoromizato took the lead in the tournament on the opening day when she fired a bogey-free round of 8-under par 64, a lead of 2 shots over compatriot Yui Kawahara. She backed that up with a 2-under par 70 in the second round, making her only bogey for the week at the 18th. This meant she moved to 10-under par, taking a one shot lead into the final round over Lee with Kawahara a further shot back in third.
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rnBoth Moromizato and Lee started well with outward nines of 3-under and 2-under respectively, leaving Moromizato with a 2 shot leading heading into the back nine. Kawahara couldn’t get anything going and posted 9 straight pars. She would eventually fall out of contention with bogeys on the 12th and 13th, sliding down the leaderboard to finish 8th.
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rnMoromizato’s run started on the 12th, posting five birdies in the last seven holes, leaving Lee in her wake with superb play in all aspects. Lee, herself posted a bogey-free final round but was helpless in stopping the Moromizato juggernaut cruise to her sixth career victory. Her final round of 8-under par matched the course record she shot on the opening day, eventually finishing on a total of 198, 18-under par. She remains in 2nd place on the Money List with season earnings of ¥72,379,200 (AUD$942,756.00), trailing Yokomine by just ¥3,401,800.
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rnTamie Durdin played consistently all week recording her 7th Top-20 of the season, after finishing in a tie for 20th at 3-under par 213. She collected ¥720,000 (approx. AUD$9,300.00) to remain at 11th on the Money List. Nikki Campbell missed the cut with rounds of 73 and 76 to slip two spots on the Money List to 31st.
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Photo by Anthony Powter – Tamie Durdin