Nikki Campbell has best finish in Japan at Vernal
IN: News | Japan Ladies | Vernal Ladies (2003) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 18 May 2003
Australian rookie Nikki Campbell today finished alone in seventh place at the 100 million yen ($A1.3 million) Vernal Ladies Tournament on the Japan Ladies PGA Tour and will secure a cheque for 3 million yen or $A40,000. Her last round of two under 70 moved her from 14th to seventh.
Held in Fukuoka on the southern island of Kyushu, the event is one of the bigger money events on the JLPGA schedule. For Campbell, who turned pro just a few months after her Australian Amateur win in 2002, this is sure to be her biggest cheque in golf to date. The22-year-old from Canberra gained her JLPGA Tour status via the tour school late last year. Campbell also has non-exempt status on the USLPGA Tour but she seems content to play where she is guaranteed starts in order to find her feet in professional golf.
Nikki finished five shots behind the winner, Ku Ok Hee of South Korea. It was the 46-year-old Ku's first victory since winning the Japan PGA Championship last September and her 23rd overall title.
Another non-Japanese player England's Samantha Head was eight continuing a good first season for her in Japan also.
