Lewis claims fourth title

Last updated: 4th November 2012

American Stacy Lewis carded an eight-under par 64 to win the Mizuno Classic on Sunday, her fourth LPGA Tour title of the season.

The 27-year-old shot 10 birdies and two bogeys in her final round at the Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club, after starting the day seven strokes back of South Korean overnight leader Bo-mee Lee.

Lewis birdies the final three holes to finish on 11-under par, one stroke ahead of Lee, who carded three birdies and three bogeys in her final round 72.

"It was pretty unexpected to make those last three birdies," Lewis said.

"They were all pretty long putts so it wasn't easy."

On the 16th she landed a 25-foot birdie putt then moved into a tie for the lead with a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th, before taking the outright lead on the final hole with another 25-footer. Lee still had an opportunity to force a play-off, but missed her crucial birdie putt on the final green to hand the American the $180,000 winner's prize.

"I knew I was a ways back," Lewis said.

"I thought if I got to 10 under, it would be close. To shoot a 64 on the final day is always good."

Japan's Ayako Uehara finished two strokes further back after her final round 67, while Taiwanese star Yani Tseng had to settle for fourth place after shooting a 68 on Sunday to finish on seven-under.

The title was Lewis' fourth of the season, after claiming victory in the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic in April, the ShopRite LPGA Classic in June and the Navistar LPGA Classic in September.

After her victory on Sunday, Lewis has opened up a 58-point lead over South Korea's Inbee Park in the LPGA Tour Player of the Year standings.

Park finished the Mizuno Classic tied for 17th after a final round of 70.

Japanese defending champion Momoko Ueda carded a final round 73 to finish in a tie for 27th.

It was a disappointing end for Lee, who had opened up a four-stroke lead after Saturday's second round and could have secured her LPGA Tour card for next season with a victory.

"I'm disappointed with today's round," Lee said after her round.

"I didn't give myself enough chances for birdies."