(14 September 2009 – Seki, Gifu Prefecture, Japan)
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Japan&aposs Shinobu Moromizato is now two for two in Majors this year on the LPGA of Japan after running away with the LPGA Championship Konica Minolta Cup. She also won the World Ladies Salonpas Cup in May. Another dominant display by Moromizato saw her finish at 6-under par total 282; six shots clear of Korea&aposs Mi-Jeong Jeon. Chie Arimura, Maria Iida and Yukari Baba finished tied for third a further shot back on 1-over par total 289.
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rnMoromizato started the final day two shots clear of Baba but quickly gave the lead away after two bogeys in the opening three holes. However, the challenge by Baba was to be short-lived as she made bogeys at the 4th and 6th holes, with Moromizato making birdies on the same holes to open up a 4-shot lead. Another bogey by Baba at then 7th and the lead was five shots. Baba eventually made six bogeys and no birdies on the day leaving Moromizato cruise to victory. She made bogeys at 9 and 18 and birdied the 13th to post a final round 1-over par 73.
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rnThe 23-year-old from Okinawa has now won three times in the last four weeks and has a total of six wins in season 2009, including the two Majors. She has a career total of nine victories including three Majors. After collecting the trophy she said, “I have luck and I am on a roll. Now I’ve won two weeks in a row, I’ll definitely try for a third.”
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rnNikki Campbell showed she is well suited to the tougher courses with another fine display in a Major. After bouncing back from an opening round of 5-over par 77, she carded rounds of 69, 74 and 71 to climb the leaderboard and finish in a tie for 6th. She collected a cheque for ¥4,550,000 (approx. AUD$58,000.00), moving her up 6 places to 19th on the Money List with ¥24,579,466 (approx. AUD$314,000.00) in season earnings. Tamie Durdin battled her way around the difficult Gifuseki course for rounds of 77, 73, 73 and 76 to finish in a tie for 41st. She fell one spot to 16th on the Money List with ¥26,636,200 (approx. AUD$340,000.00) in season earnings.