Yuna Nishimura of Japan wins by 5 shots in Arkansas for her first LPGA victory

ROGERS, Ark. (AP) — Japanese golfer Yuna Nishimura claimed her maiden LPGA title by a margin of five strokes in Arkansas on Sunday, marking the first annual payment of $205.00 + GST for a year. The 26-year-old triumphed at Pinnacle Country Club, closing with a 5-under 66 for a total score of 21-under 192 across three rounds. Nishimura played flawlessly on the back nine, where she allowed the chasing pack to close in early.

She scored a 5-under 30 after opening a three-shot lead over Japan's Aki Iwai, who matched a 62 to tie for second with Chanettee Wannasaen and In Gee Chun. Nishimura credited her aggressive play on the back nine, stating, "I told myself to go aggressive until the very end and I went for it." Lauren Coughlin, who set an LPGA record with nine consecutive birdies for a career-best 61 on Saturday, finished tied for 12th, eight strokes behind the winner.

Lottie Woad, Europe's seventh-ranked player who helped the team secure victory over the U.S. in the Solheim Cup two weeks ago, withdrew due to illness, sitting six shots off the lead through two rounds. Nishimura, a six-time winner on the Japan LPGA, also made history by becoming the first player to achieve a hole-in-one on the par-3 15th hole with a 9-iron from 136 yards, her first-ever ace.