Zhang Na kept her lead from the first round to become the first Chinese woman to win a title on the Japan tour at the Suntory Ladies Open women's golf tournament on Sunday.

Zhang, who started playing in Japan only this year, carded one birdie against two bogeys to score a 73 at the Rokko Kokusai Golf Club for a four-round total of 10-under-par 278. 

"I was a bit nervous," admitted Zhang, who received the winner's cheque of 14.4 million yen ($118,032) in her ninth tournament here.

She birdied the first hole, but her lead was reduced to two when Japan's Shiho Oyama sank a birdie on the 16th hole. She said later that she didn't watch the scoreboard at all.

"There are only some 40 female professional golfers in China, and most of them are not young golfers. But with this victory, young female golfers will increase in China, for sure," said Zhang.

Oyama finished second three strokes behind and her compatriot Erina Hara third one stroke further back.

Up-and-coming local hope Momoko Ueda was fourth place tied with fellow Japanese Shinobu Moromizato, Yuri Fudo and Mikiyo Nishizuka all on 283.

(China Daily via AFP June 12, 2007)