Japan’s Miyu Yamashita tied for second at the Women’s PGA Championship after carding a 1-over 73 in Sunday’s final round to finish three strokes behind first-time major winner Amy Yang of South Korea.
Yamashita, who topped the JLPGA point rankings the past two years, shot three birdies against two bogeys and a double bogey for a 4-under 284 total at Sahalee Country Club outside Seattle.
The 22-year-old effectively secured selection to the Japanese Olympic team with the result, joining the already-qualified U.S. Open champion Yuka Saso at the Paris Games.
She birdied the final hole to move into a three-way tie for second with American Lilia Vu and South Korean Jin Young Ko and earn a $702,478 runner’s up check.
The 34-year-old Yang secured her long-awaited major and the $1.56 million first prize by holding on to her overnight lead with an even-par 72.
Yamashita was “disappointed” by her double bogey on the eighth hole but said contending for a major championship was a “huge plus.”
“I want to do my best to get a good result at the next major,” she said.
Among the other Japanese, Hinako Shibuno shot 73 to drop two places into a tie for seventh at 2 under with compatriot Mao Saigo, who carded a 67.
Ranked fourth among Japanese players prior to the tournament, Yamashita is set to jump to second and claim one of the country’s two Olympic slots based on world rankings.
BY: Nadeem Faisal Baiga
