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It was “the other” Miyazato’s time in the spotlight as Japanese player Mika Miyazato claimed a two stroke victory at the LPGA’s Safeway Classic presented by Coca Cola, played at the Pumpkin Ridge’s Ghost Creek course, Sunday. A four year veteran on the LPGA Tour, Mika has fallen in the shadow of her superstar namesake – Ai Miyazato – who for the past six years has borne all the focus of the world golf media having won 9 times on the LPGA and 12 on the LPGA of Japan.
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The signs were there, however, that this Miyazato was on the brink of winning, having come into the Safeway Classic with 3 top 5 places in her previous five tournaments and 5 top ten in thirteen events played this year.
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In her 79th LPGA tournament, Miyazato finished 13-under par following rounds of 65-68-70 at the par-72 Ghost Creek Course at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. She managed a 2-stroke win over Brittany Lincicome and Inbee Park to become the third Japanese player to win the event, joining Ai Miyazato (2010) and Ayako Okamoto (1986).
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The 22-year-old entered the final round leading by two-strokes over So Yeon Ryu and held on to her lead posting three birdies and one bogey for the round. Miyazato earned a $225,000 first place prize increasing her career earnings to $2,329,846 and becomes the sixth Rolex First-Time Winner of the season, joining Jessica Korda, Azahara Munoz, Shanshan Feng, Brittany Lang and So Yeon Ryu.
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Of the Australians in the field, Karrie Webb (72,76,69) was best at T26 at 2 under par; Sarah Jane Smith (73,74,75) T70 at +6. Lindsey Wright (75-73) Katherine Hull (&70,80) and Sarah Kemp (80,80) all missed the cut.