AROUND THE GLOBE apanese star Momoko Ueda claimed
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her second Mizuno Classic in five seasons, beating China’s Shanshan Feng with a 15-foot birdie putt on the third hole of playoff on November 6. Ueda, also the 2007 winner in the event jointly sanctioned by the LPGA Tour and Japan LPGA closed with a round of threeunder 69 to match Feng at 16-under at Kintetsu Kashikojima. It was her ninth title on the Japan LPGA but notably only her second victory on the LPGA Tour since winning the 2009 AXA Ladies Open. Ueda missed a chance to wrap up proceedings in regulation after her 16-foot birdie attempt on the 18th just slid right of the hole. “When I missed that birdie putt, I thought I had lost my luck to win,” Ueda said. “But my caddie told me to just enjoy this and to just finish it,” said Ueda, who birdied from 15 feet to settle the duel after settling for pars on the first two extra holes. “I was starting to think I’d never win again,” said Ueda, who won it with gusto. She
LUCKY MOMOKO STRIKES GOLD IN MIZUNO CLASSIC earned her LPGA Tour card with her 2007 victory. “It’s been a tough four years in America,” Her biggest break came in regulation when her tee-shot on the ninth ricocheted off a
fan’s head and bounced back into the fairway, setting her up nicely for a birdie. “The man told me he was okay and said, ‘I just want to see you play. I do not have time to go to the hospital. Just do your best,’” she shared.
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CHOI ONE PROUD HOST
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sian Tour honorary member K.J. Choi claimed a convincing two-stroke victory in his own tournament, the inaugural CJ Invitational after closing with a five-under-par 67 on October 23. The 41-year-old Koran Choi overcame an overnight three-shot deficit with an outward 34 before taking a firm grip of the US$750,000 tournament, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Korean Golf Tour, with three birdies on the homeward nine in front of large galleries at the Haesley Nine Bridges Golf Club. “This week, I had so much things going on. I did not really think about the win. I was busy looking after the players and taking care of the sponsors. Probably the fact that I was not thinking about the tournament helped me feel at ease. The way it turned out, I’m happy to be the inaugural champion and even though I am hosting this event, it gives a special meaning,” said Choi, who totalled 17-underpar 271 and pocketed US$118,875. Asian Tour number one Noh Seung-yul of Korea put up a strong fight before settling for second place following a final round 66 while American star Anthony Kim and overnight leader Lee Ki-sang of Korea settled for a share of third place following rounds of 73 and 74 respectively.
WEI-CHIH SEALS TAIWAN DOUBLE
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ocal ace Lu Wei-Chih won his second Asian Tour title in four weeks, cruising to a three-shot victory at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters on November 6 despite bogeying the last two holes in the final round at Taiwan Golf & Country Club. Lu reclaimed the title he won in 2005 with a closing two-overpar 74 as former Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand struggled with his putting to settle for second in the US$600,000 event. Asian Tour rookies Daisuke Kataoka of Japan and Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines, the youngest Tour member this year, finished in third and fourth place on 283 and 284 respectively. Lu said this victory was even sweeter as he completed a wire-towire win on his home course. “The feeling is always different when you win so close to home. This is a fantastic victory and I’m glad to be on top after four tough days,” said Lu, who earned US$120,000 with his winning total of 10-under-par 278.