SCHAUMBURG, Illinois (July 29, 2009) – Nippon Shaft today congratulated the champion of the 2009 Evian Masters on winning her first LPGA event at one of the more prestigious and lucrative events on Tour.
The 24-year-old native of Japan used Nippon Shaft’s custom-made N.S. Pro V-90 lightweight steel shafts in her Bridgestone irons to secure victory in the Tour’s only tournament staged in France.
She shot a total of 14-under par 274 on rounds of 69-66-70-69, which earned her a spot in a two-woman sudden death playoff. On the first hole of overtime play, she made a three-foot birdie putt – good for the victory and a winner’s check worth $487,500. She is the second Japanese woman to win the Evian Masters. Her Nippon Shafts weighed approximately 90 grams each.
Before coming to the U.S. in 2006 to play full time, she had won 12 tournaments on the Japanese LPGA Tour. Since joining the LPGA Tour she has made 64 of 78 possible cuts (82 percent) and logged 21 top 10 finishes, including four this year.
Nippon Shaft has more than 50 professional victories worldwide. Based in Yokahama, Japan, Nippon Shaft is the No. 1-selling steel shaft in Asia, where it controls 80 percent of the golf shaft market. In North America, Nippon Shaft is the No. 2-selling steel shaft and is growing.
Nippon Shaft is a subsidiary of privately-held NHK, a Japanese automobile parts manufacturer. Nippon Shaft’s North American headquarters is in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Contact:
Barry Cronin
Cronin Communications, Inc.
847-698-1801 (office)
847-867-3032 (mobile)
bcronin@cronincommunications.com
