First-round leader Mika Miyazato stumbled on the final day of the Kingsmill Championship on Sunday, falling out of contention and finishing in a disappointing three-way tie for 15th place.
In the tournament won by Thai golfer Ariya Jutanugarn, Miyazato started three shots off the pace but was hampered by four bogeys against as many birdies in an even-par round — her second in the four-day tournament — for a total of 7-under 277.
"I couldn't recover in the first half, which is why I ended at par. To be honest my first-round play (score of 65) helped me a lot," said Miyazato, who was aiming for her second tour victory.
"The challenges have been enduring but I think this time I was able to play well," she said.
Miyazato's first victory on the LPGA tour came in August 2012 at the Safeway Classic in Oregon. After skipping the next tournament, the 26-year-old Okinawa native is scheduled to take part in the June 3-5 ShopRite LPGA Classic in New Jersey.
Jutanugarn, who posted her first-ever tour victory only two weeks ago at the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic in Alabama, claimed a one-stroke victory over Su Oh of Australia with a 270 total to take home the winner's check of $195,000.
Elsewhere for Japan, Sakura Yonemine was 24th at 5-under 279 and Ayako Uehara was 32nd. Ai Miyazato finished 46th at 1-under, and Harukyo Nomura was further back in 58th with a 2-over-par 286 total.