Mika Miyazato wins Japan Women's Open by 1

Published January 13, 2015

Kanagawa, Japan (SportsNetwork.com) - Mika Miyazato shot 3-over-par 75 on Sunday and won the Japan Women's Open Golf Championship by a single stroke.

Miyazato, who also won this LPGA of Japan Tour major in 2010, finished 72 holes at Sagamihara Golf Club's East Course at even-par 288.

Miki Saiki carded a 69 to end in second place alongside Erika Kikuchi (71) at 1-over-par 289.

Jiyai Shin (71), Rikako Morita (68), Harukyo Nomura (69) and Teresa Lu (69) tied for fourth at 2-over 290.

Miyazato entered the final round with a 5-shot advantage, but she squandered that lead with a sluggish start, which featured four bogeys during an outward 40.

Around the turn, Miyazato briefly recovered the lead with birdies at Nos. 11 and 13, but she stumbled to consecutive bogeys from the 14th to drop into a tie with Saiki entering the final hole.

Miyazato delivered when it mattered most, notching at birdie at the par-5 last to Saiki's par, securing her second LPGA of Japan Tour title in the process.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/mika-miyazato-wins-japan-womens-open-by-1