Miyazato favourite to win major

Miyazato has won five of her last nine tournaments on the LPGA tour

Japan's Ai Miyazato begins Thursday's second women's major of the year, the LPGA Championship, as favourite after becoming the world number one.

Miyazato, 25, supplanted South Korea's Jiyai Shin, who returns to action in Pittsford, in New York state, after missing the last two tournaments.

Shin had surgery on 9 June to remove her appendix after being taken ill.

Scotland's Catriona Matthew, last year's British Open winner, leads a five-strong British contingent.

English trio Karen Stupples, Sarah Lee and two-time winner Laura Davies, plus Wales' Becky Morgan, will also be vying for a share of the $2.25m (£1.49m) at the Locust Hill Country Club.

It is the first time the tournament has been held at the venue after five years at the Bulle Rock course in Maryland.

"I think this golf course is a perfect fit for a major tournament," said Miyazato, who tied for third in the 2006 LPGA - equalling her best finish in a major - but missed the cut in her two other appearances.

Miyazato rose to the summit of the women's game after her fifth win in nine tournaments last Sunday at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in New Jersey.

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