Safeway Classic 2012: Mika Miyazato fires 65 to share lead in first round
Japanese Mika Miyazato fired a stunning 65 in the opening round of Safeway Classic 2012 to share an early lead with American Sydnee Michaels who also carded a 65 on the leaderboard.
Miyazato started the 2012 edition of Safeway Classic at Pumpkin Ridge’s Ghost Creek Course in grand style as she looked determined to prove her mettle this time. She made balanced strokes on most of the holes
on Friday.
The Japanese star avoided making lousy strokes and kept her cool till the end of the first day. Getting off to a decent start, Miyazato made a birdie on the very first hole. She then parred the next two holes
and cheered the spectators after she shot two straight birdies on the fourth and fifth hole.
Despite starting the tournament strong, the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) star made a few mistakes. She could not handle the ball properly on the putting green of sixth hole and ended up carding
a bogey.
Offsetting the impact of the bogey, Miyazato parred the next two holes and sank her fourth birdie on the ninth hole.
On the back nine, the rising golfer impressed her fans as her game was nearly flawless. Although she faced battle-hardened rivals, she did not let her nerve rattle her, and kept moving ahead by making birdies.
She received a big round of applause after she drained three consecutive birdies on the 10th, 11th and 12th hole, strengthening her position on the leaderboard.
Michaels, who performed well at the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic 2012, kept her momentum going and posted a solid 65 to share the lead with Miyazato.
Analysts said that the result of the first round cannot be used as a yardstick and it is hard to predict how the first-round leaders will fare against rivals in the next three rounds.
Speaking to the media at the end of opening round, Miyazato said that she is in high spirits these days as she has managed to improve her game greatly in the past few months.
She said that she was full of confidence when she kicked off the tournament but the roster was quite strong, which made the battle even more interesting.
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