Nasa Hataoka won this Sunday during the Kia Classic at Aviara Golf Club
The 20-year-old Japanese woman signs here her third victory in just 16 starts on the LPGA Tour, she finished 18 under the par with a very nice card 67 (-5) with three strokes ahead of her playing partner Inbee Park, as well as Sung Hyun Park, Jin Young Ko, Azahara Munoz and Danielle Kang who share the second step of the podium.

Nasa Hataoka - © LPGA / Photo: DR

"The first two days I didn't feel very well, so I didn't really think I would get there", Hataoka said through a translator. "Until the 18th hole, anything could happen, I was relieved to see my second shot on the green ..."

After hitting his ball in the water for bogey on the 16th (par-4), Hataoka hit a sandbar 30cm away then birdie on the 17th par-5 and finished with the par on the par-4 of the 18 .

"I quickly forgot the bogey," she says. “I knew the 17th was a chance to birdie, I was very relieved and felt good that I was able to do it. "

Hataoka posted a score of 64 on Saturday to move one step ahead of Inbee Park and advance to the final round in the final event before the next major, the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills at Rancho Mirage.

"It's a big tournament next week, so I'm going to celebrate a bit, but I'm going to refresh my mind and start over next week"said Hataoka.

Hataoka finished with a card of 270 (-18). She won the NW Arkansas Championship and the Japan Classic last year.

"She played very well," said Inbee Park. “She didn't really seem to feel the pressure, especially in the way she played the last hole. It was just very smart. "

After 12 months away from the podium due to a thumb injury ex world No. 1 Inbee Park signed a final 71, missing a chance to win a 20th title on the LPGA Tour.

"Just an unhappy day at putting," she says. “It didn't want to come in. Just a day without. I just have to deal with it. I think it's still a great start to next week. "

Sung Hyun Park recorded a score of 71, Ko who won the Founders Cup last week in Phoenix, Kang 65 and Munoz 68 share the second step of the podium.

Hyo Joo Kim tied the course record with a 62 to tie 7th at 14 under par. She made the par on the first five holes, then finished 10 under par with an eagle on the 16.

"I felt like I had a very good rhythm"said Kim. “I want to continue like this until major next week. "

Céline Boutier, the only French woman to pass the less happy cut in putting this week, finished 28th at twelve strokes from the Japanese Nasa Hataoka, victorious at -18.

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