Tournament Preview - Mizuno Classic
02 Nov 2009 - 19:37:56
The LPGA Tour stays in Asia this week for the 37th edition of the Mizuno Classic. The event will once again be played at the Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club's 6,506-yard course.
Defending champion Jiyai Shin, the top rookie on Tour this season, will join 77 of the world's best professional golfers as they play for a share of the $1.4 million purse.Last year, Shin, a South Korean, turned in three solid rounds to beat Japan's Mayu Hattori by six strokes for her second of three victories in 2008.
Shin also won the major championship RICOH Women's British Open and the season-ending ADT Championship to become the first player to win three times as a non-member in LPGA Tour history.
She also has three victories as a member this year.This week, the 21-year-old is looking to successfully defend her title, which has only been done one other time this season.
World number one Lorena Ochoa won the Navistar LPGA Classic Presented by Monaco R.V. earlier this year for the second straight time.
Should Shin win again this week in Shima-Shi, Mie, Japan, she would be just the fourth player to win back-to-back titles in the 37-year history of the Mizuno Classic.
YOU CAN FOLLOW LIVE SCORING FROM THE MIZUNO CLASSIC AT GOLF.CO.UK FROM THURSDAY