(26 October 2009 – Miki, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan)
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South Korea&aposs Jiyai Shin recorded her first victory on Japanese soil in 2009 with a playoff win at the rich Masters Golf Club Ladies in Miki on Sunday. Joining her in the playoff was the Japanese duo of Yuko Mitsuka and Akiko Fukushima after the three players tied at 8-under par total 208 after the regulation 54-holes.
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rnAfter two rounds, 36-year old Fukushima, at 9-under par held a one-shot lead over money leader Shinobu Moromizato, with a host of players on four, five and six under par. Fukushima was looking for her 24th career LPGA of Japan title but was looking less than assured with a 1-over par front nine, while Moromizato had dropped two shots. Only Mitsuka and Shin had made any ground on the front nine with 2-under and 1-under respectively.
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rnShin made her move early on the back nine, picking up birdies at the 10th and 12th to move to 7-under and into a tie for the lead with Fukushima, Moromizato and Mitsuka. Chie Arimura was also in the hunt on 6-under but she failed to make any further birdies to finish in a tie for 4th. Mitsuka then made her move with birdies on the 14th and 15th holes to move her to 9-under. However, she faltered with a bogey at the long par-3 17th to join Shin in the clubhouse at 8-under, after Shin made a clutch birdie at her last hole.
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rnAfter a double-bogey by Moromizato back on the 14th, only Fukushima was left with a chance to win the tournament from the last two groups on the course. She had moved to 9-under with a birdie at the 16th but unfortunately dropped a shot at the last to drop back into the playoff. Playing the 18th again, both Mitsuka and Fukushima could only manage bogies while Shin confirmed her status as the World No.2 with a solid par.
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rnIt was Shin’s fourth title of the season after victories on the LPGA at the HSBC Women’s Champions, Wegmans LPGA and the P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship. She leads both the Rolex Rookie and Player of the Year races on the LPGA and continues her pursuit of Lorena Ochoa at the top of the Rolex World Rankings.
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rnTamie Durdin was the only Australian in the field, finishing in a tie for 51st at 8-over par total 224.
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Photo by Anthony Powter – Jiyai Shin