LITTLE ROCK — Sitting seven shots back to start Sunday, Stacy Lewis carded 10 birdies en route to a final-round push past Lee Bo-mee for a victory in the Mizuno Classic at Kashikojima Country Club in Shima, Japan.
The victory is the fourth of the season for Lewis (Arkansas Razorbacks), who sank three birdies over the final three holes to finish with an 8-under 64 on Sunday and at 11-under 205 for the tournament.
“I felt it coming,” said Lewis, 27, who earned $180,000with the victory and stretched her lead in the Rolex Player of the Year Race over Inbee Park. “To make those three putts coming down the stretch was unbelievable.”
Lewis watched as Lee, who finished at 10 under for the tournament, couldn’t close the gap and finished with an even par 72.
Lee, who earned $109,523, watched a last chance birdie putt that would have forced a playoff on No. 18 roll past the cup.
Ayako Uehara finished third at 9-under after shooting a final round 5-under 67 to take home $79,451.
“I’m a leaderboard watcher whether I play well or not just to see what’s going on,” said Lewis, whose lead over Park is 58 points with two events left. “I felt comfortable with my putter no matter what so it didn’t really matter.”
Yet, Lewis, who has earned roughly $1.81 million this season, still trails Park on the money list by roughly $300,000.
“The money list for me is pretty much out of reach with two tournaments left,” Lewis said. “My goal for this year is player of the year, which forces Inbee to win the last two tournaments, so to have that pretty much locked up is pretty cool.”
Sports, Pages 13 on 11/05/2012