South Korean golfer Lee Bo Mee played her last round in Japan on Friday, missing the cut at the Masters GC Ladies.
Lee, who has built a large fan base in Japan, will continue her playing career back home after winning 21 tournaments and two money titles on the Japan LPGA Tour.
In February, Lee said through her management office this would be her last year in Japan.
The 35-year-old from Suwon, nicknamed "Smile Candy," bounced back from her opening 83 with an even-par 72 but remained well below the cut line at Masters Golf Club in Miki, Hyogo Prefecture.
Followed by a legion of fans throughout the day, Lee picked up two birdies against as many bogeys through the first nine holes before making pars the rest of the way.
Lee was already in tears when she turned up on the first tee.
"I'm very happy. All the fans supported me for 13 years," Lee said in Japanese.
After the round, her fellow golfers wearing identical pink T-shirts held a surprise ceremony for Lee in the clubhouse.
"I was moved," Lee said. "I'll cheer everyone on."
Lee joined the Japanese tour in 2011 and led the money list in 2015 and 2016. She failed to make the cut in all eight of her tournaments this year.
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