Rookie Hwang Yumin Ties for 6th; 'Sakuma Shuri Rallies to Win'

Toto Japan Classic: Even-Par Final Round
Pleased with Her Second Top-10 Finish of the Year
Iwai Second, Hara Third, Kim Hyojoo Tied for Sixth

Rookie Hwang Yumin recorded her second top-10 finish of the year.

On November 8, Hwang shot an even-par 72, trading three birdies and three bogeys in the fourth round of the Toto Japan Classic, an LPGA Tour event with a total purse of $2.1 million, at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course (par 72, 6,598 yards) in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. She finished at 13-under 275, tied for sixth with Kim Hyo-joo, the world No. 6. It was her second top-10 finish of the season, following a tie for fifth at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the season opener in February.

Hwang made her U.S. debut this year after winning the Lotte Championship last October as a non-member. She currently ranks second in the Rookie of the Year points standings, behind Erika Hara of Japan.

Hwang Yumin finished tied for sixth at the Toto Japan Classic. AP-Yonhap News.

Starting tied for third, two strokes off the lead, Hwang stumbled with three bogeys on holes 1, 3 and 5. She turned the momentum around with her first birdie on the par-4 sixth, then showed her resilience by adding two more birdies on holes 9 and 12, both par 5s. However, she made par on each of the remaining six holes and could not complete a come-from-behind victory. Hwang averaged 282 yards off the tee with her powerful drives. She missed only four greens, but her 32 putts left her wanting more.

Shuri Sakuma of Japan, a leading player on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour, fired an 8-under 64 to win by four strokes with a 20-under 268 total. It was her fifth JLPGA Tour victory of the year and her first title on the LPGA Tour. She received $315,000 in prize money, approximately 430 million won.

Akie Iwai of Japan, who led after the previous day, shot a 1-under 71 and slipped to second at 16-under 272. Hara finished third at 15-under 273, while Yuna Araki of Japan put in a strong performance to tie for fourth at 14-under 274. Thailand's Arpichaya Yubol also joined the tie for fourth. Defending champion Nasa Hataoka of Japan tied for sixth, while Jeon In-ji finished tied for 18th at 10-under 278.

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