Power of Caring
  presented by CIGNA

Happy Birthday

Yasui wins Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Club Ladies

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Sunday July 25, 1999 12:21 PM

CHONAN, Japan (AP) -- It sure was the best birthday present ever for Junko Yasui, who turned 39 on Sunday.

She shot a 4-under-par 68 and won her 12th career victory in the 60 million yen ($500,000) Sumitomo VISA Taiehiyo Club Ladies.

"Don't print my age," Yasui joked. "This is the best birthday present I have ever had."

Yasui, starting the final round two shots off the pace, had one eagle, three birdies and one bogey in negotiating the wind-swept 6,390-yard (5,815-meter), par-72 La Vista Golf Resort course.

The round left her at a 6-under 210 total, two strokes ahead of second-placed Aki Takamura.

"I wasn't thinking about winning. I just tried to relax and take it easy throughout," Yasui said.

The victory, her second this season, was worth 10.8 million yen ($90,000).

Takamura shot a 71 for the runner-up finish at 4-under 212.

Michiko Hattori, last season's winner of the Japan LPGA money title, equaled the day's best score of 68 to share third at 3-under 213 with Michie Oba and Fumiko Muraguchi, who is currently leading this season's money list.

Two-time U.S. LPGA money title winner, Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, had a 74 and finished tied for eighth at 1-under 215 along with compatriot Carin Koch, South Korean pair Ku Ok-hee and Kim Man-soo, Taiwan's Huang Yu-chen and her compatriot Tu Ai-yu.

 

Related information
Stories
Sakagami clings to Sumitomo VISA lead Sakagami grabs Sumitomo VISA lead
Stats
Sumitomo VISA Final Scores
Multimedia
Click here for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.