Japan:
Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mone Inami won the LPGA Japan Classic on Sunday after losing in the final round to overnight co-leader Nasa Hataoka.
Inami, who finished second behind American Nelly Korda after defeating New Zealand’s Lydia Ko in a playoff at the Tokyo Games two years ago, started the first day a shot behind Hataoka and Japanese compatriot Shiho Kuwaki.
Inami continued to lead on the Minori Course at the Taihio Club, about 100 kilometers (60 mi) northeast of Tokyo, posting four birdies and one bogey in a three-under-par round of 69.
But Hataoka fell out of contention, managing only one birdie with one bogey and one double bogey to card a 74 and finish four shots off the pace.
Inami finished at 22-under 266, one stroke ahead of Kuwaki and South Korea’s Bae Seon-woo, who shot 67.
Inami, who has 12 wins on the JLPGA Tour of Japan, recorded her first LPGA win in her fifth start on the elite circuit, and is now eligible to hold LPGA Tour membership for the remainder of this season and throughout 2024.
Ten of the top 30 players in the world were competing as the LPGA concluded its four-event Asian swing with a tournament co-sanctioned with the JLPGA.
Several players made a push in the final round, including South Korean veteran Shin Ji-yi, who carded a 65 that included six birdies and an eagle plus a bogey.
Shin finished two shots off the lead with China’s Lin Ziyu, who had fallen out of contention after a strong start earlier in the week.
Lynn, who was looking for her first career win after two runner-up finishes this year, had six birdies and one bogey in her round of 67.
Defending champion Gemma Dryburgh of Scotland also mounted a tough challenge late, posting seven birdies in a bogey-free 65 to fall just three shots off the lead.
Dryburgh finished at 19-under along with Thailand’s Jasmine Suwannapura, who tied for third behind France’s Celine Boutier and Thailand’s Athaya Thitikul at last week’s Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur.
