Ai Suzuki earned her first title on Japan's LPGA tour on Sunday, capturing the LPGA Championship by one stroke and replacing Ai Miyazato as the event's youngest winner.
Suzuki, at the age of 20 years, 128 days, seized the lead on the second day at the par-72 Minagi Golf Club and carried a one-stroke lead into the final day. She carded five birdies and four bogeys in the final round to finish at 5-under 283.
Lala Anai, Misuzu Narita, and South Korea's Lee Na-ri and Shin Ji-yai tied for second at 4-under par.
"I was nervous, but I had a feeling that I would absolutely win," said Suzuki, who earned ¥25.2 million in prize money. "It still hasn't sunk in yet.
"Because my game is still lacking, I want to do my best so that people will refer to me as being among the top pros."
Miyazato, now a regular on the U.S. LPGA tour, previously held the record as the youngest Japan LPGA Championship winner when she was victorious in 2006 at the age of 21 years, 83 days.
