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Australia&aposs Nikki Campbell broke a three year winless drought with a stunning victory at the Fujitsu Ladies on Sunday. Finishing the regulation 54-holes tied with Ai Miyazato at 9-under par total 207, it took another four holes and a 50-foot putt for Campbell to capture her first title since winning the Suntory Ladies Open in 2006. Three players were tied for 3rd just one shot behind Campbell and Miyazato; the Japanese trio of Yukari Baba, Miki Saiki and Akane Iijima. Australia’s Tamie Durdin was just one shot further back in 6th place.
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rnHeading into the final round Iijima and Saiki sat on 9-under par, Baba on 8-under, Campbell and Miyazato on 6-under with Durdin at 5-under. Apart from Iijima, all six players birdied the par-5 1st hole to get off to a good start, however, only Durdin made much headway over the rest of the front nine, posting two more birdies to move to 8-under. Saiki had moved to 10-under to hold a one shot lead over Iijima, with the other four players within three shots.
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rnAfter 12 holes, there was a four way lead at 9-under with Campbell posting back-to-back birdies on 10 and 11. Miyazato had also birdied the 10th to stay within reach, while Durdin dropped a shot at the 11th to fall two behind. Baba and Saiki dropped crucial shots at the 13th and 15th respectively to fall back to 8-under, both players not managing another birdie on the way in to finish on that score in a tie for third.
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Campbell looked set for victory in regulation with a birdie on the 16th to get to 10-under, but Miyazato matched the birdie and still trailed by just one, while Iijima remained at 9-under. Durdin had also picked up a shot at the 16th to reach 8-under and still a faint hope of reaching at least a playoff. Her tournament ended with a disappointing bogey on the 18th, just as Campbell also made bogey back on the par-3 17th. It all came down to the 18th which Campbell and Miyazato both parred to hold the clubhouse lead at 9-under par with just Iijima to finish. Needing a par to make the playoff and a birdie to win, Iijima made an untimely bogey which left Campbell and Miyazato to fight it out in a playoff.
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rnIt took Campbell a 50-foot birdie putt on the 4th extra hole to clinch the victory over the current World No.9, who needed to hole a long putt from the fringe on the tough 374 yard par-4 18th to force it to a fifth playoff hole. She couldn’t manage the feat and Campbell had secured her second victory on the tough Japanese tour. Afterwards she said, “I am just really happy. It’s been a long time.” Campbell, who has played consistently well of recent times with three Top-10’s in her previous four starts, moved up to 10th on the Money List with ¥44,241,694 (approx. AUD$532,000.00).
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rnTamie Durdin’s 6th place finish was her best since her tie for 6th at June’s Suntory Ladies Open. She moved back to 20th on the Money List with ¥31,254,200 (approx. AUD$376,000.00)