Mone Inami carded a 3-under 69 in the final round of the LPGA's TOTO Japan Classic on Sunday, November 5, sealing a one-stroke triumph by making par on the final hole.
Inami put herself in contention for the title with a 7-under 65 in the third round at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Omitama, Ibaraki Prefecture.
The 24-year-old golfer had four birdies and one bogey on Sunday. She shot 2-under 34 on the front nine.
South Korea's Seonwoo Bae, who shot a 5-under final round, finished one stroke adrift at 21-under 267 for the four-round tournament. The United States-based LPGA Tour and the JLPGA Tour jointly operated the four-day event. Bae shared the runner-up spot with Shiho Kuwaki, who had three bogeys in the final round and carded a 71.
After a birdie on the par-5 17th hole, Inami, the silver medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, tapped in a putt to finish with an even-par total (four strokes) on the 18th.
It was Inami's 13th career victory, with 12 coming in Japan, including eight in 2021 when she clinched the JLPGA Tour's 2020-21 money title. This triumph provided a $300,000 USD (¥44.8 million JPY) payday.
Inami opened the tourney with an 8-under 64 in the first round, followed by a 68 in the second round.
Inami Pleased to End Winless Drought
"I've wanted to win at least once every year, but I had a strong feeling that I wouldn't be able to get a win this year," a teary-eyed Inami was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "It was good to win here."
Inami's previous tourney title was in August 2022 at the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament at Otaru Country Club in Otaru, Hokkaido Prefecture.
While Inami experienced the joy of victory, Kuwaki was left to dwell on the what-ifs.
"I was nervous because it had been a long time since I was in contention for the championship," Kuwaki was quoted as saying by Sports Hochi.
She added, "Overall, I was frustrated. I wanted to win at any cost."
Hataoka Slips Out of Title Contention at TOTO Japan Classic
Kuwaki and Ibaraki Prefecture native Nasa Hataoka were the overnight co-leaders at 20-under, holding a one-stroke lead over Inami entering the final round.
Then, on Sunday, Hataoka struggled. She carded a 74 and finished tied for eighth at 18-under 270.
South Korean Jiyai Shin and Xiyu Lin of China completed the tournament tied for fourth at 20-under 268.
Scotland's Gemma Dryburgh, winner of the TOTO Japan Classic in 2022, moved into contention with a final-round 65. She finished tied for sixth with Thailand's Jasmine Suwannapura at 19-under 269.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and Twitter ＠ed_odeven.
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