OMITAMA, Japan - Japan's Shuri Sakuma won the Toto Japan Classic on Sunday, giving Japanese players a third consecutive victory on the U.S. LPGA Tour.
The tournament at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Ibaraki Prefecture is jointly sanctioned by the U.S. LPGA Tour and the Japan LPGA Tour.
The 23-year-old Sakuma shot an 8-under-par 64 in the final round to finish at 20-under 268, four strokes ahead of compatriot Akie Iwai, with Erika Hara finishing third.
Starting the day three shots behind overnight leader Iwai in fifth place, Sakuma rallied from behind to claim the title and the winner's check for $315,000.
Among Japanese golfers, Yuri Yoshida clinched the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea on Oct. 25, and Miyu Yamashita won the Maybank Championship in Malaysia on Nov. 1.
"I was able to play well in the latter half," Sakuma said after her come-from-behind victory.
After claiming her second straight JLPGA Tour title and fifth of the season, Sakuma said, "I am really happy to be able to achieve what I couldn't last year."
