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Junko wins first crown in four years Yasui takes title in playoff at Kosaido Ladies
Posted: Sunday May 30, 1999 12:36 PM
ICHIHARA, Japan (AP) -- Junko Yasui won her first title in four years and her 11th overall in a playoff against Miyuki Shimabukuro on Sunday at the 60 million yen ($490,000) Kosaido Ladies. Yasui and Shimabukuro, playing in different groups, each shot an even-par 72 and finished tied at 1-under 215 atop the leaderboard. Defending champion Mayumi Murai, teeing off two shots off the pace along with Yasui and Shimabukuro, put up a good figh but ended with a 73 and an even-par 216 total. On the fourth extra hole, at the par-5 18th, Yasui reached the green in three and sank a 20-foot (7-meter) putt for her first victory since winning the 1995 Fujisankei Ladies. Just before Yasui's birdie putt, Shimabukuro's fourth shot, a 40-foot (13-meter) approach from the edge, hit the pin and bounced off. Shimabukuro, 39, was in contention for her first win in six years and third win overall. Yasui's victory was worth 10.8 million yen ($88,000). "The competition today was one of the toughest I have ever had," Yasui said. "And it was against one of my closest friends. We came here riding together this morning, and we dined together before the start." With the victory Yasui regained her tour car. Murai shared second place with South Korean Ku Ok-hee, who shot a final round of 69, and Kyoko Ono, who went around in 70. Rookie Midori Yoneyama struggled to a 75 and was alone in sixth at 1-over-par 217. Fumiko Muraguchi, seeking her third straight victory in as many weeks, had a 73 for a share of seventh at 218. Overnight leader Mineko Nasu shot a fat 79 and fell back to a share of 13that 4-over 220.
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