Miyazato claims second LPGA title of 2010

Miyazato opened the 2010 LPGA season with a win last week in Thailand. She shot 3-under-par 69 Sunday and finished at 10-under 278 for the tournament and ended two strokes ahead of runner-up Cristie Kerr.

Four golfers, including last week's second-place finisher Suzann Pettersen, tied for third at 7-under 281. Third-round co-leader Juli Inkster, who was bidding to become the oldest LPGA tournament winner, shot 2-over 74 Sunday and tied for ninth.

Kerr opened the final round three strokes behind Miyazato but piled up six birdies and moved into the lead through 16 holes. However, she finished with back-to-back bogeys.

Miyazato staggered at the start with bogeys on the first two holes. Miyazato righted herself back-to-back birdies at Nos. 4-5 and added another at the ninth.
She had another bogey at No. 10 before running off three straight birdies, ending that string with a bogey at 14. She pulled into a tie with Kerr with a birdie at 16 -- a hole she played in 5-under on the week -- and closed with two pars while Kerr was ending with those two bogeys.

Miyazato collected $195,000 for the Singapore win.

Copyright 2010 United Press International.