As we spotlight a new player each week we will provide an in depth look into her life on and off the course. This week be sure to read the buzz all about Ai Miyazato and get to know her.
Ai Miyazato puts tour on notice in Phoenix
By Scott BordowIt wasn’t that long ago — 2010 to be exact — that Ai Miyazato was the best women’s golfer in the world.
That was the year she won five times and engaged in a year-long duel with Christie Kerr to hold the top spot in the Rolex World Rankings. She was 25 years old and the LPGA Tour seemed to be hers for the taking.
Then she got hit by a right — Yani Tseng — and a left in Stacy Lewis. Miyazato didn’t exactly disappear — she won once in 2011 and twice in 2012 — but she didn’t capture a major, and she slid to No. 9 in the rankings. More>>
Ai Miyazato rallies to win NW Arkansas title
ROGERS, Ark. — Ai Miyazato shot a 6-under 65 to overcome a five-shot deficit and win the NW Arkansas Championship for her second LPGA Tour victory of the year and ninth overall.
The Japanese star made a 5-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to reach 12 under for the tournament, and her victory at Pinnacle Country Club was secured when Mika Miyazato missed a 15-foot birdie attempt on No. 18. Ai Miyazato had seven birdies and one bogey in the final round to finish a stroke ahead of Mika Miyazato and Azahara Munoz.
Ai Miyazato also won the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii in April. She's the third player on the LPGA Tour to win multiple events this season, joining top-ranked Yani Tseng, also a three-time winner, and No. 2 Stacy Lewis, and she's projected to rise from sixth to third in the world entering the U.S. Women's Open next week. More>>
Victory dance
KAPOLEI, Hawaii — Japan's Ai Miyazato won the LPGA LOTTE Championship on Saturday for her eighth career LPGA Tour title, birdieing three of the last six holes for a 2-under 70 and a four-stroke victory.
Miyazato finished at 12-under 276 at wind-swept Ko Olina. She opened with rounds of 71, 65 and 70 to take a three-stroke lead in the final round.
Meena Lee, ahead early on the back nine and tied for the lead after a birdie on No. 15, had a 70 to tie for second with Azahara Munoz at 8 under. Munoz finished with a 71.
The whirlwind finish still had Miyazato a little flustered. More>>
Miyazato at ease after a trying 2011
By Dave Hackenberg and Steve Junga
Ai Miyazato says she wasn't herself last year.
Oh, she still posted an LPGA Tour victory at the Evian Masters in France and earned five other top-10 finishes. She earned more than $1 million and crossed the $5 million mark for her career.
"But it was very hard to focus on my game," Miyazato said.
It was hard for many Japanese, even those living abroad, to think of much beyond the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami that rocked the Asian island nation in March, 2011. More>>
For Her 2011: Ai Miyazato - A selection of photos from Ai Miyazato's photoshoot. More>>
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