(Miki, Hyogo Pref., Japan)
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Japan&aposs Shiho Oyama won her first title for the year at the Masters Golf Club Ladies on Sunday after posting two late birdies to finish with a 4-stroke victory over the Korean pair of Eun-A Lim and Ah-Reum Hwang. Her bogey-free final round saw her finish at 7-under par total 209 while overnight leader, Korea’s Ji-Hee Lee made seven bogeys on her way to a 3-over par 75 to slip down to a tie for 4th.
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Oyama, who was the leading money winner in 2006, began the final round just 1-shot behind Lee but took the lead early after making a birdie at the 1st hole while Lee made three bogeys in her first four holes. Oyama then began a string of 14 pars to maintain her lead until she birdied the 16th and 18th holes to make the win relatively convincing. Afterwards, and obviously not getting carried away with her 3-shot lead, she was asked when she thought she had the tournament won. She replied, “I thought I would be able to win after I hit my second shot at the 18th.” The ¥22,140,000 winners cheque takes her season earnings to ¥70,306,029 (approx AU$1.2million) and sees her move up to 7th on the money list.
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Nikki Campbell has continued her late-season resurgence, finishing in a tie for 7th at 1-under par total 215. She now sits 29th on the money list with ¥25,519,877 (approx. AU$436,000.00) in season earnings. Tamie Durdin, who requires some good results to finish in the Top-50 and secure her card for 2009, finished in a tie for 19th at 3-over total 219. She slipped one spot to 57th on the money list with five events remaining.