LPGA: Why Japanese Golfer Ai Miyazato Won the 2011 Evian Masters

Ai Miyazato has it all: solid game, strong mentality, class and media exposure. The 26-year-old Japanese won another LPGA title, her seventh on this tour, and she did it in style. She held off American Stacy Lewis to claim her second Evian Masters crown and hoist her first trophy of 2011.

Japan's golden girl shot 273 total for a 15-under overall, after posting four impressive rounds: 68, 68, 67 and 70.

"It feels amazing, this is my favorite tournament, so I'm really happy I could win it again," Miyazato said. Regarding her 11-month title drought, she said, "I'm not in a rush, I'm trying make one tournament at a time." 

Miyazato led all over the weekend and never let her advantage go away. Furthermore, she reached out to a couple of outside the ropes factors:

a) She had Japan on her mind all week long, especially today. And to make that happen she wore the button of the foundation she created along with Mika Miyazato and Momoko Ueda, last March, just days after an earthquake and a tsunami struck their country.

b) Her parents came over to watch her play and, even when she’s on her seventh LPGA season, they’ve never seen her win, so this victory was even more special.

Of course, her game was flawless, as it tends to be when she’s in contention. Her stats prove it: 46 fairways hit, out of 56, (82.14 percent); 2.1 putts per green; 61 of 72 GIR (84.72 percent), and three sand saves, out of three.

That’s why Ai’s driving distance average of 228.63 yards didn't matter that much. Her precision with the irons and the putter made the difference in a soggy course.

It’s quite a good time for Ai to win a tournament. She’s due a major title and next week the LPGA will have it’s last Grand Slam tourney when it stops in Scotland for the Women’s British Open.

Meanwhile, Miyazato has a couple of days to decide how much money of her $487,500 winner’s check she’ll donate to Japan’s relief.