(16 May 2011 – Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan)
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Japan&aposs Miki Saiki continued her recent good form with victory at the Fundokin Ladies in Fukuoka on Sunday. Rounds of 71, 67 and 70 saw her finish at 8-under par, one shot better than Rui Kitada with Ritsuko Ryu and Hiromi Mogi a further two shots back in a tie for third. It was one of the rare occasions in recent times when Japanese players have filled the podium.
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rnSaiki began the final round tied at the top of the leaderboard with 2008 US Women’s Open champion Inbee Park. By the time they made the turn, Saiki had opened up a three shot gap with birdies at the 4th, 6th and 7th holes. None of the other players further down the leaderboard could make a significant run at the leaders on the front nine except for Kitada who had moved to 5-under par but was still four shots behind Saiki.
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rnSaiki gave the chasers some hope with a bogey at the 11th hole but neither Park nor Kitada could take advantage and when Park made double bogey at the 15th the title appeared to be safe in the grasp of Saiki. Kitada, playing a couple of groups ahead of Saiki applied some amount of pressure with a final hole birdie to get to 7-under and at the time two shots behind. However, all it did was make the final result look a little tighter than it was with Saiki making a bogey at the 18th to wrap up a one-shot victory.
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rnIt was the fourth time this season that Saiki had finished in the Top-3 but it was her first title. She also moved to the top of the Money List and later said, “I’m delighted, I was nervous but I told myself to enjoy it. There were some tough times in today’s round but I did enjoy myself.”
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rnTamie Durdin was the best of the Australians posting three steady rounds of 71, 72 and 71 to finish in a tie for 13th. Nikki Campbell unfortunately missed the cut.