Shuri Sakuma won her first LPGA Tour title at the Japan Classic in Omitama. A closing 64 took her to 20 under par, four strokes clear of Aki Iwai, who had led by one going into the final round. Erika Hara finished third. The victory also made Sakuma eligible for LPGA membership.
Japanese golfer Shuri Sakuma won the Japan Classic in Omitama, north of Tokyo, for her first Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour title. She closed with an eight-under-par 64 at Taiheiyo Club. Her total of 268 over 72 holes left her 20 under par and four strokes ahead of Aki Iwai, who finished on 272.[1], [2]
Iwai began the final round with a one-stroke advantage, but her closing 71 left her behind Sakuma. Erika Hara shot 70 and finished third, five strokes off the winning total. Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol and Japan’s Yuna Araki shared fourth, six strokes behind Sakuma. Yubol completed her last round in 72 strokes, while Araki needed 70.[1]
Sakuma already has eight victories on the Japanese tour and became eligible for LPGA membership with this win. Defending champion Nasa Hataoka closed with 71 and tied for sixth with three other players, seven strokes behind Sakuma. Hataoka had led after the first two rounds. She won last year’s rain-shortened event in a playoff. Japan was the last stop of the tour’s four-event Asian swing.[1]
