Nakajima Shoots a 37 to Hold On in Japan

HAKUI, Japan â€”  Tsuneyuki Nakajima earned a six-stroke victory Sunday with a 13-under-par 239 in the $303,000 Mizuno Open golf tournament, shortened to 63 holes because of wind and rain.

Nakajima, the current leading money winner on the Japan PGA tour, shot a 1-over-par 37 for Sunday’s nine holes. He received $54,500 for his third victory of the season and 33rd in his professional career.

Nakajima had taken the lead after Friday’s second round and stretched it to three shots after the third round.

He picked up one birdie Sunday on the 6,915-yard, par-72 Bijodai course of the Tokinodai Country Club.

Tsukasa Watanabe, the first-round leader, shot 37 for a 245 total and came in second, followed by two Japanese--Seiji Ebihara and Tsutomu Irie--at 246.

David Ishii of Hawaii was among five players tied for eighth at 248.

Aiko Takasu came from behind with a 34 for nine holes and won the women’s tourney over the 6,009-yard, par-72 layout of the same club’s Noshudai course.

Takasu started the final round one shot behind second-round leader Shihomi Suzuki, collected three birdies en route to a 175 total and earned $18,200 for the first triumph in her 13-year pro career.

Suzuki and Patti Rizzo of the United States shared second place at 177 after Suzuki shot a 37 Sunday and Rizzo a 36.