Morimizato wins first pro event at Sankyo Ladies

BY Bruce Young | Japan Ladies Tour | 2006 Sankyo Ladies Open | Wrap | 08 Oct 2006

20-year-old Shinobu Morimizato followed the lead of her fellow Japanese USLPGA Tour star, Ai Miyazato, by returning home to Japan to not only win her first event of 2006 but, in Morimizato’s case, to win her first tournament as a professional.

For Morimizato however the contemplation of her first victory as a professional at the Sankyo Ladies Open at the Akagi Golf Club in Gunma Prefecture north and west of Tokyo, appeared to take its toll over the closing nine holes. In what became a battle to survive she dropped six shots over the last seven holes and very nearly blew the five shot lead she had as she made the turn in today’s final round.

She eventually won by just one shot over Mi-Jeong Jeon with the JLPGA Tour’s leading money winner, Shiho Ohyama, also stumbling over the closing holes to cost herself a chance of what would have been her sixth victory of the year. Ohyama double bogeyed the 17th then bogeyed the last to finish two behind Morimizato and in third place.

Ai Miyazato had also returned to Japan recently to play several events there after she too had experienced a perhaps disappointing start to her LPGA Tour career when so much had been expected of her. Miyazato has been twice a winner and once runner up in the last month on the JLPGA Tour but today it was Morimazato’s turn.

Morimizato has played on the USLPGA Tour for much of this season after gaining her LPGA Tour card at her first attempt in late 2005 but she has struggled with the higher level of competition so early in her professional career. In 15 starts on the 2006 LPGA, Morimizato’s best finish had been a 34th place at the Wegmans LPGA event Championship but back on home soil she has begun to find her feet and her confidence in recent weeks.

An outstanding amateur Morimizato turned professional in August of 2005 and now that she has managed to win an event, albeit narrowly, it is expected that more will come in quick succession.

Australian Nikki Campbell once again recorded a top ten when finishing 7th, recovering from a very shaky start to the day. Campbell was out in five over par 41 but was home in two under 34. For Campbell it was her 8th top ten of the season in addition to her win at the We Love Kobe tournament. Campbell remains in 9th place on the Japan LPGA money list with ¥45 million or A$510,000.

The next event on the JLPGA Tour is the Fujitsu Ladies Open in Chiba.