Yuna Nishimura completed a maiden LPGA Tour victory with a wire-to-wire win at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, as England’s Lottie Woad withdrew during the final round.
Nishimura took a five-shot lead into the final day at Pinnacle Country Club, where she followed back-to-back 63s with a five-under 66 to close out a five-stroke victory.
The 26-year-old eagled the par-five 14th and mixed five birdies with two bogeys over the rest of her round, pulling her clear of Aki Iwai, Chanettee Wannasaen, and In Gee Chun in tied-second.
“A five-shot lead is a pretty tough situation, but I believed in myself and just kept going until the end,” Nishimura said. “I missed a lot of cuts this year, so for me to win this tournament is a surprise, but it’s a dream come true.”
Iwai had closed on the lead after six birdies in seven holes during a bogey-free 62, with Wannasaen (64) and Chun (65) the others on 16 under, with England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff a further stroke back in a share of fifth after three consecutive 66s.
Yealimi Noh aced the par-three 15th hole with a nine-iron from 136 yards, the first of her LPGA Tour career, while Mao Saigo holed a seven-iron from 159 yards on the par-three third.
Woad started the day six shots off the lead and was five over for her round when she withdrew due to illness, shortly after hitting her drive out of bounds at the par-five 14th.
Her Solheim Cup teammate Julia Lopez Ramirez finished seven strokes adrift in a share of eighth, as Charley Hull faded to a tied-22nd finish after a final-round 70.
Alexandra extends LET Order of Merit lead with Italian title
South Africa’s Casandra Alexander secured her third Ladies European Tour title – and second in a month – after completing a three-shot victory at the Buccellati Ladies Italian Open.
Casandra Alexander ended the week on 12 under to claim her third Ladies European Tour title
Alexander, who is also a five-time runner-up on the LET this season, posted a three-under 69 on the final day at Golf Club Milano to pull clear of Germany’s Sophie Hausmann and American rookie Anna Morgan.
The 27-year-old card an eagle, four birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey during her eventful final round, with victory following on from last month’s success at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
“I’m glad I didn’t have to wait for this one as long as I waited for the previous one,” said Alexander. “My game’s in the right place to win golf tournaments, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and having more opportunities.”
Alexander started the final day tied for the lead and recovered from being four behind after five holes to pull level with an eagle at the par-five ninth. She added three birdies in the last four holes to pull away from the field.
Victory strengthens Alexander’s position at the top of the LET Order of Merit, where she now extends her advantage over Anna Huang heading into the final stretch of the season.
What’s next?
The LPGA Tout heads to Hawaii next for the Lotte Championship, beginning Thursday at Ewa Beach in Oahu, with coverage beginning live on Friday from 1am on Sky Sports Golf.
The Ladies European Tour travels to Asia next for the Aramco Korea Championship from October 8-11, where Hyo Joo Kim is the defending champion. Get latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.
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