Takanori Konishi pipped Shugo Imahira to the inaugural Maezawa Cup by one shot as the contest came down to the wire in dramatic fashion – with the last two holes proving decisive at the MZ Golf Club on Sunday.
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Heading into the last two holes, Konishi trailed Imahira by one shot, but a birdie on 17 saw him tie Imahira for the lead at 17-under with one hole to play. The contest seemed headed for a playoff until Imahira bogeyed 18, dashing his hopes for his 11th JGTO victory.
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Entering the final round in a share of the lead with Imahira, Konishi started strongly with two birdies in his first three holes. He bogeyed the par-four eighth, but responded with another birdie on 11 before reaching 17 with five straight pars.
After sinking his fourth birdie of the day on the par-five 17th, the 33-year-old signed off with a par on 18 for a three-under-par 67 and a winning total of 17-under-par 263.
“I’m really happy to have won. It took me a long time to get here, but I finally feel my efforts have been rewarded.
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“Once the tournament started, I just focused on each shot in front of me and tried not to think about being chased. The most memorable moment today was my long putt on 17. It just felt like, ‘Wow, it went in!
“There were definitely tough times when results didn’t come. But with the support from my fellow players and my coach, I was able to keep going. Back in middle school, I once stepped away from golf. Watching Ryo Ishikawa win made me want to start playing again.
“I’m just really happy. Winning, no matter how it happens, is always something special. It’s all thanks to the people who kept supporting me and to my coach. I’m truly grateful,” said Konishi.
