Miyazato Wins Evian Masters, Donates Winnings to Homeland

The LPGA's Ai Miyazato clinched her first title of the 2011 season at the Evian Masters on Sunday and pledged to share her prize winnings with the people still suffering in the aftermath of the disasters back home in Japan.

The 26 year-old Miyazato played impressive golf throughout the weekend, culminating with a 2-under 70 on Sunday to hold off American Stacey Lewis.  Lewis had won the Kraft Nabisco earlier in the year but succombed to a costly 16th hole in her final round to fall short of the title.

Miyazato would earn $487,000 with her victory this weekend, which she now plans on donating entirely to her homeland of Japan. According to statements released from the Associated Press, Miyazato was still deciding on her total contribution in the donation.

"I haven't decided yet, whether it will be all of the amount or some of it," she said. "This year I was playing for Japan."

The young LPGA star is a repeat winner on TOUR, her last victory coming at the Safeway Classic last August. She had been struggling as of late with her game, however she was also admitted that the devistation in her homeland has always been in the back of her mind while on the golf course.

 

"There was so much happening at the beginning of the season, to be honest," Miyazato said, referring to the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March. "I always have Japan in my thoughts, it gives me motivation to play."