KIKUYO, Kumamoto Pref. (Kyodo) South Korea's Lee Ji Hee birdied four of the last five holes for a come-from-behind one-shot victory over Sakura Yokomine at the Life Card Ladies on Sunday.
Overnight leader Lee looked to have fallen out of contention after five straight bogeys around the turn, but she stormed back for her first title of the season, the 12th of her career in Japan.
Lee ran off three birdies in a row from No. 14 to join Yokomine in the lead and two-putted for birdie on the par-5 18th, minutes before Yokomine missed her birdie putt.
"It was a tough day. But I knew if I stayed patient, I could get a chance to win," Lee said, looking back at a roller coaster round of 1-over 73 that left her at 3-under 213 for the tournament. She had five birdies and six bogeys in the final round.
"I regained control of myself when I made a par putt at No. 12. I was able to regroup. That definitely led to this victory," added the 30-year-old.