Stacy Lewis Claims Victory at HSBC Women's Champions

Following Her Recent Multi-Year Extension with Mizuno, Lewis Captures Sixth-Career LPGA Title

Norcross, GA – (March 5, 2013) - Mizuno Brand Ambassador Stacy Lewis captured her first LPGA victory of 2013 by one stroke on Sunday, outplaying a charging field to claim the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore. The highlight of her round was nearly holing out her second shot on the par-5 7th hole. Using her JPX-825 Hybrid from 200 yards out, Lewis’ shot ended up five inches from the pin, leaving a routine tap-in eagle.

Displaying poise and consistent play all week, Lewis claimed her first title of the season with the help of her Mizuno JPX-825 Pro irons, MP T-11 wedges, JPX-825 hybrid and MP-650 fairway wood. Lewis built a three shot lead, but had to fend off Na Yeon Choi on the final holes to capture the championship. Lewis utilized her JPX-825 Hybrid again on 18, landing her second shot on the back of the green, giving herself a lengthy putt for eagle. All she needed was par after Choi missed a 12-foot birdie putt that could have potentially forced a playoff.

“Coming off an impressive 2012 campaign that saw Lewis win the LPGA Rolex Player of the Year, we congratulate Stacy on her first LPGA victory of the season,” said Dick Lyons, Vice President and General Manager, Mizuno USA Golf. “We are thrilled to support Stacy and are honored that this six-time LPGA champion trusts the performance of Mizuno products. It has been exciting to watch Stacy’s growth on tour and her impressive play continues to show that she is one of the biggest stars in the game.”

Mizuno delivers outstanding innovations and high-performance technologies for serious golfers of all skill levels. With groundbreaking design technologies and processes like Grain Flow Forging Technology, Mizuno has earned the trust of golfers at every level. For more information on Mizuno’s complete line of golf equipment, visit www.mizunogolf.com.

CME Group Titleholders Final Round - Notes & Quotes

On Na Yeon Choi wins the CME Group Titleholders

Golf Channel / CME Group Titleholders Final Round Notes and Quotes
TwinEagles Golf Club
Naples, Fla.
Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012

On Na Yeon Choi’s victory
Golf Channel analyst Judy Rankin: “She has step by step put it all together. She is a very complete player. If you watched her this week, you know that she is a very composed player. That has to bode well for a young woman who still has not even hit the prime of her golf life.”

Golf Channel on-course reporter Jerry Foltz interviewed Na Yeon Choi following her victory 
Choi, on her win: “I had a lot of confidence today, especially with this golf course. I like this golf course. I enjoyed it with my group today. I finished strong this season and I’m really satisfied.”

Choi, on winning the two biggest first place checks on the 2012 LPGA Tour season (CME Group Titleholders and the U.S. Women’s Open): “I am really happy with how I played this season. I won my first major tournament and even this tournament is very big to me.”

Inbee Park Interview with Tom Abbott
2012 Vare Trophy (lowest scoring average for 2012) and 2012 LPGA Money winner Inbee Park sat down with Golf Channel’s Tom Abbott during the tournament broadcast to talk about her season:

Park, on her turnaround in 2012: “Earlier in the season, I wasn’t rolling the ball great. I just couldn’t find the right putter and the right stroke for me. After Wegmans, the putter just starting rolling really good and I was really confident with my putter. I think that was the difference.”

Park, on which trophy means more to her: “They are both really important and they both mean a lot to me. I think the Vare Trophy is the tougher trophy to win because even the last tournament I had to push myself to play good, and until the last round I couldn’t be relaxed. This tournament felt so long, longer than the whole season. That tells me a lot.”

Sun Young Yoo Penalized for Improper Drop

I don't know how many of you caught the CME Group Titleholders second round coverage on Golf Channel Friday.  There was an unfortunate situation where player Sun Young Yoo was penalized one stroke for an improper drop.  What is your take on this type of rule violation? Rules are rules? or should there be some leniency?  Have a look and decide for yourself...

Here's a look at the reaction and analysis from Golf Channel's Rich Lerner and Judy Rankin...

Stacy Lewis Wins her Fourth Tournament of the Year

Three Consecutive Closing-Hole Birdies Puts Lewis Within Reach of 2012 LPGA Tour Player of the Year Honors

Mizuno Brand Ambassador Stacy Lewis captured her LPGA-leading fourth victory of the 2012 season by winning the Mizuno Classic at Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club in Shima, Japan.  Staking her claim atop the short list of 2012 LPGA Player of the Year contenders, Lewis shot an 11-under 205 for the 54-hole event, winning by one stroke.  With this latest victory Lewis remains second on Rolex Rankings, the highest ranked American Golfer on the LPGA Tour, and looks to earn LPGA Player of the Year honors, becoming the first American to do so in 18 years. 

Displaying the poise and consistency she has shown all year, Lewis secured her fourth title of the season with the help of her Mizuno JPX-800 Pro irons, MP T-11 wedges, MP-650 fairway wood, JPX-825 Hybrid and JPX-800 driver.  Lewis started the final round with a seven-shot deficit, but consecutive birdies on the final three holes earned her a thrilling one-shot victory. 

“We’d like to congratulate Stacy on her LPGA-leading fourth victory of the season,” said Dick Lyons, Vice President and General Manager, Mizuno USA Golf.  “Throughout her ambassadorship with Mizuno, she has been humble and genuine, and we are thrilled to watch her develop into one of the best players on the LPGA Tour.”

Mizuno delivers outstanding innovations and high-performance technologies for serious golfers of all skill levels.  With groundbreaking design technologies and processes like Grain Flow Forging Technology, Mizuno has earned the trust of golfers at every level.  For more information on Mizuno’s complete line of golf equipment, visit www.mizunogolf.com.

About Mizuno USA

Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers in the world. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, track & field, and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America.  Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Norcross, Georgia.