Ueda holds off two players for title in Japan

2007-11-04

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MIE, JAPAN (TICKER) -- Momoko Ueda continued her hot play in Sunday's final round of the Mizuno Classic. Laura Davies was not nearly as good.

Ueda fired a 6-under-par 66 en route to a 13-under 203 for the tournament - two shots clear of Reilley Rankin and Maria Hjorth - to claim the crown at the $1.4 million, three-day event.

Ueda, who was tied for 10th with seven other players after the first round, erupted for a 5-under 67 in the second round.

After finishing her front nine 1-under with two birdies and a bogey on Saturday, Ueda caught fire on the back half, making four birdies in her first seven holes before finishing her round with consecutive pars.

Her good form carried over to Sunday.

Ueda birdied the first two holes of the third round, helping her enter the turn bogey-free. She added two more birdies on the back half and mixed in just one bogey to hold off the rest of the field.

The win had added significance for Ueda, who became the first Japanense to player to capture this event since Hiromi Kobayashi in 1998.

"I'm really, really glad I won," said Ueda, who collected $210,000 for his first career win. "I learned sometimes patient brings fortune. Tomorrow is my mother's birthday. I think it will be a good gift for her. Last year I lost and was not able to play well, so I focused on playing good golf."

However, it seemed to be a much tougher task ahead for Ueda entering the day. She was tied for the lead at 7-under-par with 20-time LPGA Tour winner Davies, who eventually fell off on Sunday with an even-par 72 - finishing tied for fifth at 7-under 209.

"I was calm. In most of the tournaments I felt like I have to play fast, but today I decided to play without rushing," Ueda said.

Davies, who was seeking her first title since winning the Wegmans Rochester International in 2001, could not get anything going on Sunday - recording just three birdies and three bogeys.

Rankin and Hjorth both fired a 5-under 67 en route to a three-round score of 205.

Shinobu Moromizato also shot a 5-under 67 on Sunday but finished one shot behind the aforementioned duo with a final tally of 8-under 208 - one stroke ahead of four players tied in fifth place.

First prize was $210,000.