(24 August 2009 – Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan)
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Japan&aposs Shinobu Moromizato cemented her place atop the Money List after securing her fourth title of the season at the CAT Ladies in Hakone, Japan on Sunday. She fired a final round 5-under par 68 to complete a one-shot victory over compatriot Miho Koga. Japanese players filled the podium with Yukari Baba and Akiko Fukushima a further shot back in a tie for third.
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rnKoga started the final round with a one shot lead but was quickly overtaken when Moromizato eagled the first hole and followed that up with birdies at the 2nd at 4th holes. However, hers was not the best start with Fukushima making birdies on five of her first six holes. By the turn, Fukushima held a two shot lead at 11-under after an opening nine holes of 5-under 31. Both Koga and Moromizato had moved to 9-under and it was a race between the three.
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rnBy the 15th hole, Moromizato had caught Fukushima on 11-under with Koga still just one behind. In the end, it would be the experienced Fukushima who would falter over the final holes. Moromizato finished with three straight pars while Fukushima made bogey at both the 17th and 18th holes. Moromizato has now moved well clear at the top of tthe Money List with season earnings of ¥94,835,200 (approx. AUD$1.2million). Sakura Yokomine is in second place with ¥82,324,666 (approx. AUD$1.05million). She became the third fastest to cross the ¥300million in career earnings, passing the mark in her 104th tournament. Ai Miyazato was the fastest completing the feat after 57 events while Yokomine did the same earlier in the year after 98 events.
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rnTamie Durdin finished in a tie for 38th after rounds of 72, 75 and 73. She slipped to 14th on the Money List with season earnings of ¥25,978,200 (approx. AUD$330,000.00). Nikki Campbell missed her first cut since the Promise Ladies in June. She remains 23rd on the Money List with ¥19,483,466 (approx. AUD$247,500.00).
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Photo by Anthony Powter – Tamie Durdin