Takeda Rio of Japan is racing toward the Rookie of the Year award of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.
Takeda shot an 8-under 64 to win the final round of the LPGA Tour's Blue Bay LPGA (total prize money of $2.5 million) at the Jen Lake Blue Bay Golf Course (par 72) in Hainan Province, China on the 9th.
Takeda, who beat Lee Min-ji (Australia) by a whopping six strokes, added the LPGA Tour trophy for the first time in four months after winning the Toto Japan Classic in November last year.
Takeda, who won the LPGA Tour card this year by winning the Toto Japan Classic, became the first rookie to win the championship, beating rivals far away in the rookie race and taking the lead.
Takeda was ranked No. 1 in points for the Rookie of the Year by winning the top 10 twice without missing a cut in the previous four competitions.
Takeda, who already had seven wins on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour before winning the Toto Japan Classic last year, has become a strong player in the LPGA Tour with her formidable long-distance shots, accurate iron shots, and high-quality putting skills.
Takeda, who received $375,000 in prize money, tied for first place in the prize money ranking ($469,000), third place in CME points, and second place in Player of the Year points.
Takeda said, "I didn't expect to win the title this fast. I didn't think about winning the title during today's game. My goal was to hit four under par today, but I exceeded my goal," adding, "I started with a lead, but I thought if I don't reduce my pars aggressively, I can allow him to chase after me. I want to go back to Japan and eat sushi."
Yoon Na, who has to compete with Takeda for the Rookie of the Year award, tied for 33rd (290 strokes over par) in this tournament after failing to make the cut at the Founders Cup, her debut match.
Yuna earned 17 points for Rookie of the Year for the first time in this competition, but the gap widened with Takeda, who accumulated 293 points. Yuna also received her first prize ($15,528) on the LPGA Tour.
Yoon Na-na had only two birdies due to the difficulty of shots and poor putting, and she made two double bogeys and four bogeys to shoot 6-over 78.
Lee Min-ji chased by reducing five strokes, but failed to stop Takeda's run of eight birdies without a bogey and had to settle for the runner-up (11-under 277).
Li Shuying of China, whose main stage is the KLPGA Tour, drew attention as she tied for fifth (6-under 282).
None of the Korean national players made it to the top 10, and Im Jin-hee, who tied for 12th (4-under 284) by hitting 3-under 69, ranked the highest.
Kim, who lost one stroke on the day, tied for 17th place (3-under 285), breaking her streak of top 10 tournaments that lasted for three tournaments this season 카지노. However, Kim maintained the No. 1 spot in CME points and No. 1 spot in Player of the Year points.
The LPGA Tour will resume with the Ford Championship at Wheelwind Golf Club in Chandler, Arizona for four days from the 28th after a two-week break after the spring Asian Series.