Momoko Ueda hopes to win over local crowd again
Defending champion Momoko Ueda thinks that her last year’s victory is not the only thing that will help her shine at the Mizuno Classic 2012, but raucous crowd support is also going to keep
her motivated.
Ueda, who won the last edition of Mizuno Classic in playoff, said while speaking to the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour during her pre-tournament interview on Wednesday that
she is happy to play for her country and fans.
“The fans, I feel like with that last putt I became one with all the spectators there. It was very emotional for me to be here for that win,” Ueda spoke of the final moments when she beat
Chinese Shanshan Feng in playoff last year.
The upcoming edition is scheduled to be played from November 2-4, at Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club, Shima-s**+, Mie, Japan, with hundreds of local spectators expected to flock to the course
this Friday.
Since Ueda has won two editions of the three-round tournament, it has now become even more crucial for her to push her to the limits and cheer her fans on once again.
Last year, the Japanese prodigy started the tournament brightly, and when Feng equalled the score to an overall 200, she knew she needed the spectators by her side. She held her nerve in
playoff and subdued the Chinese giant to rack up her second Mizuno Classic title.
Speaking of likely pressure, Ueda said that she is not worried at all because she knows the course well and hopes that the weather is going to stay calm throughout the three days.
She said “this week is special” for her. “Because it’s my mom’s birthday and I think it would be great to win for her”.
Regretting a lacklustre start that has seen her stay winless in the current season so far, Ueda said that she is trying to fix flaws in her game and realises that good practice is the key
to all her performance woes.
“I know I didn’t have such a great start to my season, and or middle part. I guess I prepared myself a lot for this tournament and hope to make the best out of it,” said Ueda who has grabbed
nine titles on the LPGA of Japan Tour.
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