Post by bangkokbobby on Oct 2, 2016 13:58:15 GMT -5
more pics and video on my blog: Nasa Hataoka Wins 2016 Japan Women's Open
Nasa Hataoka
History was made at the 2016 Japan Women’s Open as 17-year old amateur Nasa Hataoka bested an elite field that included Major winners Jiyai Shin and In-Gee Chun finishing in the top 5 to take the title at the third Major of the JLPGA season. Hataoka used a 3-under 68 (par is 71 here) to move to 4-under overall, vaulting from tied for 5th at the start of the day to a 1 shot victory over Kotone Hori. Nasa also bested the feat of another big name in women’s golf as she became the youngest ever winner of the Japan Women’s Open, far surpassing the previous record of Ai Miyazato, who won the 2005 Japan Women’s Open at 20 years old. Mayumi Hirase, then 20 when she won the 1989 Lady Borden Cup (now the JLPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup), was the youngest Major winner in JLPGA history. Until now. No amateur had ever won a JLPGA Major. Again, until now.
Minori Nagano
As impressive as a 17-year old amateur in her third year of high school winning a JLPGA Major is, it could have been even more impressive had 15-year old first year high school student Minori Nagano taken the title. She slept on a 5-under 2 shot lead after round 3. Maybe it was too much pressure for the youngster. Sure, Hataoka is young as well, but at least she has the experience of winning back to back IMG Academy Junior World Championship titles last year and this year at Torrey Pines. Also, it’s probably easier for a teenage amateur to chase the lead rather than hold it overnight, dealing with the nerves and pressure, not to mention all the media attention. Ultimately, Nagano fell apart with a 7-over 78 to fall from 1st to a tie for 10th. She wasn’t even the 2nd leading amateur in the end as Yuna Nishimura slipped into a tie for 6th place. But a tie for 10th at a Major is fantastic for a 15-year old amateur. Hopefully, Nagano will use this experience to grow as a player.
1 NASA HATAOKA (-4)
with In-Gee Chun
Nasa Hataoka
History was made at the 2016 Japan Women’s Open as 17-year old amateur Nasa Hataoka bested an elite field that included Major winners Jiyai Shin and In-Gee Chun finishing in the top 5 to take the title at the third Major of the JLPGA season. Hataoka used a 3-under 68 (par is 71 here) to move to 4-under overall, vaulting from tied for 5th at the start of the day to a 1 shot victory over Kotone Hori. Nasa also bested the feat of another big name in women’s golf as she became the youngest ever winner of the Japan Women’s Open, far surpassing the previous record of Ai Miyazato, who won the 2005 Japan Women’s Open at 20 years old. Mayumi Hirase, then 20 when she won the 1989 Lady Borden Cup (now the JLPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup), was the youngest Major winner in JLPGA history. Until now. No amateur had ever won a JLPGA Major. Again, until now.
Minori Nagano
As impressive as a 17-year old amateur in her third year of high school winning a JLPGA Major is, it could have been even more impressive had 15-year old first year high school student Minori Nagano taken the title. She slept on a 5-under 2 shot lead after round 3. Maybe it was too much pressure for the youngster. Sure, Hataoka is young as well, but at least she has the experience of winning back to back IMG Academy Junior World Championship titles last year and this year at Torrey Pines. Also, it’s probably easier for a teenage amateur to chase the lead rather than hold it overnight, dealing with the nerves and pressure, not to mention all the media attention. Ultimately, Nagano fell apart with a 7-over 78 to fall from 1st to a tie for 10th. She wasn’t even the 2nd leading amateur in the end as Yuna Nishimura slipped into a tie for 6th place. But a tie for 10th at a Major is fantastic for a 15-year old amateur. Hopefully, Nagano will use this experience to grow as a player.
1 NASA HATAOKA (-4)
with In-Gee Chun