＜Photo：Matt Roberts/Getty Images＞
The third round of the 50th Japan LPGA Championship Konica Minolta Cup was held on 9th September at Appi Kougen Golf Club (6,640 yard/par71), Hachimantai-City, Iwate. It is Number–one in Asia who will win this tournament. Total purse is ￥200million,and winner’s prize ￥36million. It was moving day. Only 5 players stayed under par due to the tough course setting at this number-one championship in Asia. Tournament leaders were Ji-Hee Lee and Hiroko Azuma at total 3 under par. By 1 shot was Saiki Fujita. Ai Suzuki was 6th at total even par. She has possibilities of being only the second player to win consecutive LPGA Championship in history and want to come from behind to win on Sunday.
She isn’t mama’s girl any more. “I do what I should do,” she showed her fighting spirit. She made a 1.5 meters put for her first birdie on No 2 and on No 3,No 5 and No 6 she had bogeys to drop down. In this situation she always goes back, but today she didn’t. On No 9 she holed a 2 meters, which was tough line, to save par. She got full of energy again. She opened up a new field in the 6th year as a professional.
Her parents usually come to tournament when their daughter remains in contention. “After finishing the second round, I call and asked them never to come here but to watch me on TV in Okayama. My mother was eager to come but I refused, as I want to finish this game on my own. If they had come, I would have tried too much.” Her shot is so accurate that some rivals are really envious of her. She wants to win her first title. A player is definitely alone in playing. She selected to be strong, without her parents supporting.
