Tatsuya Kodai fired a sizzling nine-under-par 62 to seize the first round lead at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship on Thursday.
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The 35-year—old carded nine birdies against a single bogey at the par-71 at Izumigaoka Country Club to take a one-shot lead over Daisuke Kataoka and Kunihiro Kamii.
His round was highlighted by an eight-meter birdie putt on the par-5 9th and several precise mid-range putts that underlined his sharp touch on the greens.
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“This might be one of my best scores, but more than anything, I was able to stay focused for all 18 holes,” said Kodai. “Even after the bogey on seven, I managed to respond with back-to-back birdies on 8 and 9, which kept the momentum going. That gives me confidence for the next rounds.”
Kodai attributed his fine form to improved putting, having recently settled on a new model just two weeks ago.
“My shots have been solid, but ultimately, birdies only come if the putts drop. Recently the feel with my putter has matched up well, and today especially I was able to hole several from three to four meters. That made a big difference,” he explained.
Playing in his hometown, Kodai also acknowledged the boost from local support, where he is seeking to end a eight-year title drought since his first JGTO win at the Mynavi ABC Championship.
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“Osaka is where I grew up, so the atmosphere is very familiar. Some friends and supporters came today, and that definitely helps. It feels a little like playing at home.”
Despite his strong start, Kodai noted the demanding setup of the course this week.
“The rough is very deep, even tougher than when we had the Kansai Open here. It was important to keep the ball in play, and I managed that well today. Hopefully I can continue to do the same,” he said.
