TOKYO – Japan’s Miyu Yamashita won the LPGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year award Sunday following a stellar season featuring wins at the Women’s British Open in August and the Maybank Championship early this month.
The 24-year-old, ranked third in the world as of Nov. 10, becomes the third Japanese winner of the award after Hiromi Kobayashi in 1990 and Mao Saigo last year.
“There are lots of wonderful winners from the past and it’s a great honor to join the list,” Yamashita said. “I believe I was given the award thanks to the support I’ve received from many people.”
Yamashita’s 68th-place finish at The Annika, played at the Pelican Golf Club in Florida, ensured she cannot be overtaken by compatriot Rio Takeda for the award with one event left this season.
It has been a productive year on the tour for Japan, with the country providing six different winners.
AloJapan.com