(23 November, 2009 – Konan, Kochi Prefecture, Japan)
rn
Japan&aposs Ayako Uehara captured her first title of the season at the rain-shortened Yokohama Tire PRGR Ladies Cup on Sunday. In a tie for second were compatriot Midori Yoneyama and Korea’s Ah-Reum Hwang, five shots adrift of Uehara.
rn
rnAfter starting with a scintillating opening round of 8-under par 64, Uehara held a 5-shot lead heading into the weekend. No one could bridge that gap on the second day as Uehara completed a steady round of 1-under par 71 to move to 9-under par for the tournament.
rn
rnWith rain threatening, it was always going to be touch and go whether the final round could be completed. There was an initial rain delay in the late morning and organisers decided to reduce the final round to 9 holes. However, another downpour in the early afternoon meant that the officials had no choice but to cancel the final round and declare Uehara the winner.
rn
rnUehara has been a regular visitor to Australia in the last three years, and her win sealed her second career victory after breaking through at last year’s Fujisankei Ladies Classic. After the announcement was made that the final round had been cancelled, she said, “I am really pleased but I had been ready to play today. The final round was shortened to nine holes and then it was eventually canceled and I am a bit surprised.”
rn
rnThe best of the Australians was Nikki Campbell who finished in a tie for 28th at 3-over par total 147. After a disappointing opening round of 4-over par 76, Campbell climbed the leaderboard on day 2 with a 1-under par 71. Tamie Durdin missed the cut of 149 with rounds of 77,76.