ASAKURA, FUKUOKA PREF. – Joint overnight leader Miki Saiki captured her first title of the season after claiming a one-shot victory at the Fundokin Ladies on Sunday.
Tied at the top of the leaderboard at the start of the day with former U.S. Women’s Open champion Park In Bee, Saiki shot a final-round 70 to finish one stroke ahead of Rui Kitada on 8-under 208 at Fukuoka Century Golf Club.
Saiki’s third career victory earned her 14.4 million, moving her to the top of the money rankings.
The 26-year-old, who finished second behind Park at the season-opening Daikin Orchid Ladies, has been in solid form of late having tied for third and second the past two weeks.
Saiki enjoyed a bogey-free journey over the front nine and birdied the fourth hole before picking up further shots on the sixth and seventh. She rebounded from a bogey on the 11th with a birdie on the 16th and closed with a par-bogey finish.
“I’m delighted,” said Saiki. “I was nervous (being in the final group) but I told myself to enjoy it. There were some tough times in today’s round but I did enjoy myself.”