(5 September 2011 – Mizunami, Gifu Prefecture, Japan)
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Overnight co-leader Li-Ying Ye of China managed an even-par 72 in steady rain, all day Sunday to win her first career Japan LPGA title at the Golf 5 Ladies. She finished on a total of 6-under par 210, one shot clear of South Korean’s Na-Ri Kim and Ritsuko Ryu.
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rnYe started the final round in a four-way tie for the lead at 6-under par and with the steady rain, pars were at a premium and it was Ye who played the more steady golf of the leaders. She started with three pars before a bogey at 4th hole saw her join the others who also dropped shots early in their rounds.
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rnA birdie at the 9th hole saw Ye again go to the lead going back to 6-under after an outward nine of even par. Her steady play saw her par the next four holes before another bogey at the 14th dropped her back into a four-way tie for the lead with just the final four holes to play.
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rnThe 32-year-old from the Fujian Province on the southeast coast of China, broke out of the four-way tie with a birdie on the par-5 16th before making pars on the last two holes. That was enough for the third year professional.
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rn“I got a win in my third year in Japan,” Ye said. “I&aposd like to dedicate this win to my family in China. They are taking care of my child back home. As a golfing mother, I was able to realise one of my dreams. This is a nice confidence boost.”
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rnNikki Campbell was the sole Australian to compete and she was well in the contest after opening rounds of 71 and 70 saw her start the final round just three shots off the pace. However, three bogeys in the first four holes put paid to her chances and she closed with a 5-over par round of 77 to finish in a tie for 18th.
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