Shinobu Moromizato, who earned her 2006 U.S. LPGA tour card earlier this month, has vowed to give it her best shot on women's golf's most prestigious tour and has made retaining exempt status for 2007 her top priority.
Moromizato hopes to put herself in position for an exempt spot with strong performances early in the season, so she can compete on the Japan tour in the summer.
"I'll do my utmost on the U.S. LPGA tour in the first half of next year and want to come back to Japan in July or August to play in some domestic tournaments," the 19-year-old Moromizato said.
Moromizato plans to take part in four tournaments in Japan next year, the season-opening Daikin Orchid Ladies in March, the Suntory Ladies Open in June, the Japan LPGA Championship in September and the Sept. 28-Oct. 1 Japan Women's Open.
Moromizato won her U.S. LPGA tour card after finishing ninth in the final qualifying tournament in Florida. Japanese compatriot Ai Miyazato won the qualifier by a record 12 strokes and will also play on the U.S. tour on a regular basis in 2006.