MIZUNAMI, Gifu Pref. – Normal service was resumed on the Japan LPGA tour Sunday as Yuri Fudo produced a sensational come-from-behind win to capture her third title of the season at the Golf 5 Ladies.
Daisuke Maruyama celebrates after winning the Fujisankei Classic.
Fudo carved up Mizunami Country Club with eight birdies in a bogey-free final round to wipe out a five-stroke deficit and beat rookie Akane Iijima, South Korean Shin Hyun Ju and Taiwan’s Wei Yun-jye by two shots on 11-under 205.
Fudo, who has dominated the JLPGA tour for the past five seasons, closed the gap on absent rival Ai Miyazato in the money-rankings table with a 35th tour victory that earned 9 million yen.
“My shots were so good today that I wasn’t concerned about what my putting was like,” Fudo said.
“I was thinking at best that I would be able to force a playoff or maybe lose by one stroke. I really feel that I’ve gained a great deal with this victory,” said the soft-spoken 28-year-old from Kumamoto.
Iijima, who held the overnight lead with South Korean Lee Ji Hee, had three birdies and two bogeys on the way to a 71 for her share of second with Shin and Wei, who both shot 68s.
Lee struggled with a 1-over 73 and finished in a tie for fifth with Sakura Yokomine, Fuki Kido and Noriko Aso.
Maruyama wait over
KAWAGUCHIKO, Yamanashi Pref. (Kyodo) Daisuke Maruyama finally ended 11 years of frustration with his first tour victory at the Fujisankei Classic on Sunday.
Maruyama erased the painful memory of blowing an early lead to finish 58th at the Aiful Cup in July as he shot a birdie and a bogey for an even-par 71 to finish seven shots clear of Shingo Katayama at Fujizakura Country Club.
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