Ai Miyazato Rallies to Victory in Arkansas


Thanks to a closing 6-under 65, Ai Miyazato came from five shots back in the final round to win the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. The 54-hole, $2 million LPGA Tour event took place at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark.

The 27-year-old carded seven birdies - with the most crucial one coming on the par-5 18th - and a bogey to finish the 54-hole tournament in 12-under 201, one stroke better than Spain's Azahara Munoz (65) and Mika Miyazato (67).

Mika Miyazato (no relation to Ai) had a chance to force a playoff on the last, but pulled her birdie putt to give the win to her fellow Japanese. "Mika played really well - I just focused on every single shot," said Ai at greenside. "I had no expectations and no pressure. I just had a fun day."

The win, her ninth on the LPGA Tour, was worth $300,000.

Tied for fourth at 203 were South Korean Inbee Park (68) and the leader the first two days, Veronica Felibert of Venezuela.

Felibert, an LPGA rookie who played collegiate golf at USC and began the final round with a four-stroke lead, closed with a 72 to enjoy the biggest payday of her short career, $93,770.

Alone in sixth at 204 was Hee Kyung Seo (66), while right behind was fellow South Korean Amy Yang, who matched Ai Miyazato for Sunday's low round, a 65.

For all the scores, visit http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/leaderboard.aspx?TournamentID=27867.