LPGA: Ai Miyazato aiming for the Mizuno Classic
The Mizuno Classic is scheduled to start tomorrow in Mie, Japan. One of the last events of the LPGA circuit, this tournament has made the ladies eager. Out of all the stars in the LPGA, Japan’s Ai Miyazato is really hoping to win the Mizuno Classic title.
As she will be playing in her home town, Miyazato really hopes to make her home crowd proud.
Up till now, Miyazato has had five LPGA wins and has also spent 11 weeks at the number one position in the world rankings. Despite being such an able golfer, Ai hasn’t ever attained a LPGA title in her native country, Japan. With Mizuno Classic being the
sole event in Japan, Ai is in it to win it.
When competing in the JLPGA, Ai has performed very decently. She has won 15 events in addition to her six wins around the world. Looking at her achievements, there is a high chance Miyazato victory train goes around Japan as well.
The last time Ai was triumphant in Japan was in the Sankyo Ladies Open in October 2009. That was truly a remarkable tournament played by the 25 year old. Going into the final round, she was five shots behind the leader when she carded a final round 68 to
win one stroke ahead of Jeon Mi Jeong and Mayu Hattori.
This year in Japan, it is the South Korean golfers Miyazato needs to be cautious of. Current Number one player in the LPGA rankings, Jiya Shin, current money rankings leader Na Yeon Choi and defending champion Bo Bae Song all have the potential to win this
event.
As for Miyazato, she feels threatened from things not exactly in human form. It is the strong winds that the former number one hopes to overcome tomorrow. She said the strategy to winning is to play well in the breezy conditions on the 6,506 yard par-72
Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club on the Shima peninsula. She said it all depends on the win since its very erratic and definitely influences Ai’s game.
The Mizuno Classic isn’t the only thing Ai is vying for. The star also has eyes on the LPGA’s player of the Year award. Being triumphant this weekend could bring her even closer in the race. If Miyazato wins, she’ll be the first player from Japan to win
this award since Ayako Okamoto in 1987.
The defending champion, Bo Bae Song, attained her 2009 title by posting rounds of 68-65-68 to win three strokes over Lorena Ochoa, Brittany Lang and Hee-Young Park. Only three players have successfully defended their Mizuno Classic titles. Besty King took
the title in 1992 and 1993 and Woo-Soon Ko did the same in 1994 and 1995. A lot of praise goes to Annika Sorenstam who won the Mizuno Classic five times back to back from 2001-2005.
The 2008 Mizuno Classic winter, Shin, regained her top spot in the rankings since she finished in fourth place after the Hana Bank Championship. This brings us to the most recent LPGA event winner, Na Yeon Choi. Choi righteously defended her title and won
the Hana Bank Championship again last Sunday. Carding a 3-under 69, Choi claimed her fourth career title. Feeling great after her win, Choi is ready for another challenge.
This tournament would be the last of the LPGA events in Asia before the tour returns to South America for the Lorena Ochoa Invitational. Co-sanctioned by both LPGA and the Japanese Ladies Tour, this tournament has been played as an LPGA Tour event since
1973. The Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club has hosted the Mizuno Classic for fours now. With only one more event left before the LPGA Tour Championship, the Mizuno Classic will showcase some intense competition from the LPGA ladies.
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