Miyazato keeps cool to seal title triumph

Published on 21/08/2012 01:45

MIKA Miyazato maintained her composure late on Sunday night to win the Safeway Classic by two shots.

The 22-year-old from Japan went into the final round with a two-shot lead after rounds of 65 and 68 – and a two-under-par 70 in the final round was enough to keep her ahead of the rest of the field with a 13 under score of 203. None of her closest rivals going into the final 18 holes made much impression at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club at North Plains, Oregon.

South Korea’s Park Inbee and home hope Brittany Lincicome ended up sharing second place – the latter after a final round 67. South Korea’s Kang Haeji had the round of the day, a 66. She made eight birdies and moved into contention on the back nine, pulling within one stroke of the lead, but then took a double-bogey after going into the water on 17.

Michelle Wie had her first top-ten finish of the season, shooting a 69 to finish eighth at eight-under. Top-ranked Yani Tseng faded with a 73 to finish at six under and Paula Creamer was three-under after a 76.

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew was 11 shots adrift of Miyazato after finishing with a 70.