Japan's Mone Inami recorded her maiden LPGA Tour victory at the TOTO Japan Classic in Japan. The Tokyo Olympics silver medalist clinched her milestone title by one shot from Korea's Seon Woo Bae (67) and countrywoman Shiho Kuwaki (71). While Inami may be a newbie in the LPGA Tour frame, the talented 23-year-old has now won 13 times on the JLPGA Tour.
Inami gained her win at Taiheiyo Club's Minori Course with a final round 3-under 69 to finish at 22-under. With the win, Inami is eligible to accept LPGA Tour membership for the remainder of this year and the entire 2024 season.
Korea's Jiyai Shin and China's Xiyu Lin took a share of fourth place at 20-under. Tour veteran Shin was looking to advance on her 30-title winning JLPGA career. Shin fired a superb 7-under 65 on Sunday. Lin carded a 5-under 67.
Defending champion Gemma Dryburgh put up a superb effort in search of back-to-back victories. The 30-year-old from Scotland closed with a bogey-free 7-under 65 to reach 19-under and vault up the leaderboard into a share of sixth place with Thailand's Jasmine Suwannapura (69).
Hannah Green was the best placed Australian. The major winner from Perth posted rounds of 70, 68, 68 and 70 to get to 12-under for a share of 40th place.
The LPGA Tour returns to US soil for next week's The ANNIKA at Pelican Golf Club in Florida. America's Nelly Korda is the defending champion.
Final Scores
TOTO Japan Classic
1. Mone Inami -22
T2. Seon Woo Bae -21
T2. Shiho Kuwaki -21
T4. Jiyai Shin -20
T4. Xiya Lin -20
T6. Gemma Dryburgh -19
T6. Jasmine Suwannapura -19
Australians
T40. Hannah Green -12
T63. Sarah Kemp -6
Photo credit: Yoshimasa Nakano/ Getty Images
