In the first tournament sponsored by the Men's Golf Players Association, the final round was held in Tochigi Prefecture, and 23-year-old Naoyuki Kataoka increased his score to a total of 15 under, and won the tour's first victory in the fourth race after turning professional. ..
In response to the sharp decrease in the number of tournaments last year due to the influence of the new corona, the first tournament held by the players' association to increase the opportunities for players to play an active role was the final round on the 9th in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. Was done.
In the final round, which was a melee battle in which talented people from veterans to young players gathered at the top, the difficult setting that incorporated the strong winds and the opinions of the players made it difficult to know the whereabouts of the game until the end.
Kataoka, who started from 9th place, 4 strokes behind the lead, took 4 birdies in the first half, and in the second half he also played tenacious golf, increasing the score by 4 with 6 birdies and 2 bogies and holed out with a total of 15 under. ..
After that, Ryo Ishikawa and 48-year-old Katsumasa Miyamoto, who lined up in the lead with a total of 15 under, all dropped their scores in the final 18th, and Kataoka, who holed out earlier, was the first in the fourth race after turning professional. Won the championship.
Five people, including Miyamoto and Ryuko Tokimatsu, who is the chairman of the player, are in second place with a one-stroke difference, and six people, including Ishikawa and Takumi Kanaya, who is the top prize ranking, are in seventh place with a one-stroke difference. Lined up.
Last year, when he made a leap forward, 34-year-old Daisuke Yasumoto, who was greatly influenced by the cancellation of a series of games, finished in 15th place with a total of 11 under par in stable golf with four days of under par.
Kataoka "Both happy and surprised feelings"
Naoyuki Kataoka, 23, who won the tour for the first time in the first tournament hosted by the Players Association, said, "I thought I was going to fight the playoffs, so I was both happy and surprised. I gave up until the end. I'm glad I was able to finish the race and win the championship. "
Regarding today's play, "I was in a good position to enter the second half, so I was conscious of winning. The wind was getting stronger, so I thought that if I could endure it, I would definitely have a chance, so I concentrated on one shot and one shot and was absorbed in myself. I did it with. "
And for the future, "I was really happy to have the players' association hold the tournament. I was able to win one, but I will continue to win the second and third wins so that this does not seem to be a fluke, and it seems to be supported. I want to be a golfer. "
Chairman Tokimatsu "Almost perfect score, a good word"
Ryuko Tokimatsu, the chairman of the players' association that hosted the tournament, said, "As you can see from the score, it was a birdie battle with a very high score. Even the fans who were watching do not know who will win. I think he enjoyed the situation. I was excited to be in the midst of the battle for the championship as a player, "he recalled.
Regarding the evaluation of the first tournament, "I think it's almost perfect, and I'm glad. It's really good that the young player who will be the top in Japan won the championship, and veteran Miyamoto who finished in 2nd place. Although it was a pity, he showed me a play with a taste of 100 battles. I will bring back this task, continue discussions among the players, and do my best to hold the 2nd and 3rd tournaments. I want to do that, "he said with a smile.