91视频

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91视频’s world #3 Stacy Lewis has returned to Japan to defend her 91视频 Classic title. Lewis looked fresh from a 3 week break, joining 91视频 President Akito 91视频 for the Pro Am – making 6 birdies over the front nine.

Lewis was the first American in almost 20 years to win the 91视频 Classic in 2012 – a tournament co-sanctioned by the LPGA and the LPGA of Japan Tour.

At No. 3 in the Rolex women鈥檚 world rankings, Lewis is the only player among the LPGA鈥檚 鈥淏ig Three鈥� scheduled to play when the 54-hole event begins Friday in Japan. No. 1 Inbee Park and No. 2 Suzann Pettersen are scheduled to return to action next week at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational. Lewis is committed to all three of the year鈥檚 remaining events. She鈥檚 one of five players among the top 10 in the world scheduled to play at Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club this week with No. 4 So Yeon Ryu, No. 7 Shanshan Feng, No. 8 Karrie Webb and No. 10 Catriona Matthew also playing.

Lewis is seeking her fourth LPGA title of 2013, which would equal her win total from a year ago, when she became the first American in 18 years to win the Rolex Player of the Year award. After making top-10 finishes in the first two events of this fall鈥檚 Asian swing, Lewis is coming off a three-week break.

鈥淵ou just try to be fresh,鈥� Lewis said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not playing all the Asia tournaments just because I want to be fresh when I am playing, and I want to play good and have a chance to win. So it鈥檚 about managing your energy level at the end of the season because everyone is tired, everybody is ready for the off season.鈥�

A year ago, Lewis wrapped up the Rolex Player of the Year award winning in Japan. She came from seven shots down in the final round to win. She鈥檚 a long shot to win the Rolex POY award this year. She would have to win the final three events just to have a chance. Park leads the Rolex POY race with 290 points. Pettersen is next with 252. Lewis is third with 200. There are 30 points available to this week鈥檚 winner, 30 at the Lorena Invitational next week and 30 at the CME Group Titleholders.

Lewis, though, is very much alive in trying to become the first American in 19 years to win the Vare Trophy, the award for the LPGA鈥檚 low scoring average. Lewis leads the tour in scoring this season with a 69.53 average. Suzann Pettersen is next with a 69.59 average and Inbee Park is third at 69.93.

Stacy “I’ve managed to keep up the momentum since winning the 91视频 Classic here last year, and have even been able to mark some career goals this season. The fans and crowds in Japan are always great, and I hope I can sink those putts and be in contention on Sunday