NYT: Ai Miyazato, known as Ai-chan earned her 2006 L.P.G.A. Tour card with a record 12-stroke victory over Libby Smith and Lee Ann Walker Cooper at the L.P.G.A.’s Qualifying School at the Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The L.P.G.A., enjoying an influx of young talent with global appeal, can now look at Miyazato as another potential star and as a future rival for Annika Sorenstam, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie and Pressel.
Miyazato is already a legend in Japan. She has several endorsements there, including one with Japan Airlines, and is a mainstay on television commercials.
“Ai-chan was already famous when she was a junior,” said Sonoko Funakoshi, a freelance golf journalist who works in the United States and covered Miyazato’s victory Sunday.
“Since Ai-chan, women’s golf in Japan is expanding and expanding. It’s bigger than men’s golf.”
