Every week throughout 2012, we will spotlight one LPGA player and provide an in depth look into her life -- both on the course and off of it. Keep coming back each day to learn more about Ai Miyazato.

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Surviving the storm
Japan’s Miyazato back on track after taxing 2011 season

BY NEAL REID

It may have not been obvious by looking at her, but Ai Miyazato played with a heavy heart in 2011.

The Japanese former world No. 1 saw her country ravaged by an earthquake and tsunami in March that killed more than 15,000 people and spent the remainder of the season searching for peace as her nation suffered. She was actually in the air on a flight to Tokyo when the earthquake hit, and she experienced the aftermath firsthand.

Because of those horrific events, 2011 was a season like none other, as Miyazato not only dealt with the rigors of competing on Tour each week, but also with the heartache for her native land.

Results-wise, Miyazato had another of her customarily superb seasons, making 16 of 19 cuts and tallying six top-10s, including a win at the Evian Masters. But emotionally, it was a taxing and exhausting season for the nine-time LPGA Tour champion. More>>

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2012 STATISTICS
STARTS: 14 VICTORIES: 2 DRIVING ACCURACY: 78% (10) BIRDIES: 164 (23) SAND SAVES: 57% (8)	TOP 10 FINISHES: 8 EARNINGS: $1,095,723 EAGLES: 0 PUTTS PER GREEN: 1.78 (11) GIR: 68% (35) DRIVING AVERAGE: 243 (123)

This week is all about...Ai Miyazato

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