adminTOKYO. — Schoolgirl Minami Katsu became the youngest winner on Japan’s women’s golf tour yesterday at the age of 15 years and 293 days. Going out one stroke off the pace, the amateur player rolled in five birdies against one bogey for a round of 68 to win the Japan LPGA Vantelin Ladies Open with a total of 11-under-par 205 in the southern city of Kumamoto. South Korean Lee Bo-Mee finished second, one shot back. Katsu broke the Japanese record set by South Korean Kim Hyo-Joo when she won the Suntory Ladies Open in 2012 at the age of 16 years and 332 days.
“I can’t believe it. This was my first professional event of the year and I had initially aimed (only) to make the cut,” said the pony-tailed player, 157 centimetres (5 feet 2 inches) tall.
“My body felt as if it did not belong to me. I think I made the round without thinking anything,” said Katsu, who enrolled in a high school in her home region of Kagoshima this month.
“I got so nervous on the final hole but until then I wasn’t at all.” — AFP.
Online Reporter