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Golf: Kazuki Higa wins 1st money title, Miyuu Yamashita ends strong year in style

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Kazuki Higa celebrates after securing top spot in this season’s money rankings after the Casio World Open golf tournament at Kochi Kuroshio Country Club in Geisei, western Japan, on Nov. 27, 2022. (Kyodo)

GEISEI, Kochi (Kyodo) — Kazuki Higa clinched his first career money title on Japan’s top-tier golf tour Sunday with a tie for 37th place at the season’s penultimate event, ensuring he will finish at the top of the prize rankings.

On the women’s tour, Miyuu Yamashita, who clinched her circuit’s points championship two weeks earlier, won the season-ending Tour Championship Ricoh Cup in a playoff.

Chan Kim of the United States won the men’s tournament, the Casio World Open, with a 32-under 256 total at Kochi Kuroshio Country Club in Geisei, Kochi Prefecture. Kim won last year’s tour money title.

Higa, a 27-year-old Okinawa native who stands just 158 ​​centimeters tall, pushed his season earnings to 180.04 million yen ($1.29 million). Four of his six career wins on tour came this season.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m relieved a little bit,” said Higa, who had lessons from Masaru Miyazato, the father of former US LPGA star Ai Miyazato, when he was in high school.

“Since I took the money lead, I wanted to hold it until the end. I’ll try to win the money title again next year.”

Yamashita defeated Minami Katsu with a birdie on the first playoff hole after they finished regulation at 15-under 273 at Miyazaki Country Club.

“I wanted to win the season finale, so I’m glad I did,” the 21-year-old said. “I got stronger with the support of many people.”

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