Saiki, Hattori share lead

Written by Writer on Saturday, November 8th, 2008

Saiki, Hattori share lead

Mayu Hattori maintained her hot form Friday, firing a 5-under 67 to share the first-round lead with Miki Saiki at the Mizuno Classic sanctioned by the U.S. LPGA Tour.

Hattori, who won the IDC Otsuka Kagu Ladies on Sunday–her first victory on the tour–reeled in five birdies in a blemish-free round, while Saiki made six birdies against a lone bogey on the par-72 Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club in Shima, Mie Prefecture.

South Korea’s Lim Eun A and compatriot Shin Ji Yai, who won this year’s Women’s British Open, were tied for third after firing 68s in the opening round of the three-day event that features 43 U.S. LPGA tour players and 35 JLPGA players.

Defending champion Momoko Ueda opened with a 70.

Karrie Webb of Australia, the 2006 winner, had a 72. Morgan Pressel of the United States was tied for last at 75.

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Conran, Ho shares Lexus lead

S.K. Ho of South Korea and Australian Steven Conran moved top of the leaderboard Friday, going into the third round of the inaugural Lexus Championship.

Ho fired a 3-under 68, while Conran carded a 5-under 66. The two players were tied at 8-under 134 on the par-71 Otone Country Club in Bando, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Overnight leader Brant Jobe of the United States matched par and shared third place with Toshinori Muto (69) at 135.

Teen sensation Ryo Ishikawa, who claimed his first tour victory as a pro last Sunday, missed the cut for the first time in five tournaments, shooting a 72 to finish at 4-over 146.

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Ex-JGTO chairman Shimada dies

The Yomiuri Shimbun

The honorary chairman of the Japan Golf Tour Organization Kosaku Shimada died of cancer on Monday. He was 64.

Shimada, who scored his first pro victory at the 1968 Japan PGA Championship, won 15 tournaments including Japan’s four major titles.

The Hyogo native Shimada served as the first JGTO chairman in 1999 and was made honorary chairman in March this year.
(Nov. 8, 2008)