Yuta Suigura withstood the pressure from compatriots Yuki Inamori and Taiga Semikawa to claim his first professional victory with a final round even-par 72 to win the Japan PGA Championship on Sunday.
Related: Yuta Suigura takes outright lead at Japan PGA Championship
Starting the round with a two-shot advantage, the 22-year-old got off to an encouraging start with a birdie on the second hole. However, he dropped two shots on holes seven and nine to reach the turn in 37.
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With Inamori and Semikawa piling the pressure in his back-nine, Suigura then birdied the 12th and 17th hole before dropping another shot in his closing 18 to compile a four-day total of 18-under-par 268.
He was left to watch nervously as both Inamori and Semikawa could have forced the contest into extra-time had they birdied the 18th hole. However with both only managing to make par on the par-four 18, Suigura was clearly elated to clinch victory at the Fuji Country Kani Club.
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“It was definitely nerve wreaking after I bogeyed 18. I was prepared for a playoff already but thankfully, I did not have to. This victory is especially sweet as it’s my win since turning profession last year.
“It’s a huge confidence booster for my career and I’m definitely looking forward to lifting more trophies,” said Suigura.
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The 22-year-old had already enjoyed a distinguished amateur career when he became the first-ever amateur and only seventh amateur winner in JGTO history to do so to win the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament in November last year.
