Japan’s Hataokoa nabs third LPGA Tour title at Kia Classic
LOS ANGELES: Japan’s Nasa Hataoka had six birdies in a five-under 67 to roll to a threestroke victory in the US LPGA Tour’s Kia Classic in Carlsbad, California.
Hataoka, 20, notched her third LPGA Tour title with an 18-under total of 270.
She was three shots clear of former world No. 1 Park In-bee, current No. 1 Park Sunghyun, Ko Jin-young, Danielle Kang and Azahara Munoz.
Hataoka had posted a third-round 64 to enter on Sunday trailing In-bee by a stroke in the final tune-up for the year’s first Major, the ANA Inspiration, next week.
“Big tournament coming up next week, so I’ll celebrate a little bit but get my mind refreshed and start again next week,” Hataoka said.
In-bee, chasing a 20th LPGA Tour title but her first in a year, carded a one-under 71.
Park Sung-hyun, who had a share of the second-round lead on Friday, also signed for a 61.
Spain’s Munoz carded a 68 while America’s Kang and South Korean Ko – winner of the Founders Cup in Phoenix last week – both shot 65.
South Korean Kim Hyo-joo equalled the tournament record with a 62 to join the group sharing seventh on 274.
Hataoka was five-under for the day when she found the water on the way to a bogey at the par-four 16th that cut her lead to two strokes.
She shook off the miscue with a tap-in birdie at 17 and capped her round with a par.
“I forgot about the bogey very quickly,” she said.
“I knew that 17 was a chance I could make a birdie, and just very relieved and felt great that I was able to actually get a birdie.”
Hataoka is the sixth different winner on the LPGA Tour this season – the third straight year that the first six tournaments have had six different winners.
In-bee, who played alongside her in the final pairing, said she showed no sign of nerves.
“Didn’t really look like she was feeling the pressure, especially in the way she played the last hole,” In-bee said. “Just very smart.” — AFP