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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:12 a.m., Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Golf: Japan's Mika Miyazato to turn professional

Associated Press

TOKYO — There will be a second Miyazato on the LPGA Tour next season.

Japanese golfer Mika Miyazato announced Tuesday she will turn professional after earning a Tour card.

The 19-year-old Miyazato, no relation to LPGA regular Ai Miyazato, finished in the top 20 at the LPGA Tour qualifying tournament in Florida on Sunday to earn full playing status for 2009.

She tied for 12th with an 8-under 352 after 90 holes in the qualifying tournament.

"I have only taken the first step in my dream," Miyazato said through her management company. "I'm determined to step up my efforts to meet everyone's expectations."

She skipped Japanese Q-school in May in order to attend a golf academy in Florida. Now she'll join fellow Japanese golfers Ai Miyazato and Momoko Ueda, who both played on the LPGA Tour in 2008.