Jinichiro Kozuma survived a nerve-wreaking finish where he bogeyed his last two holes in regulation play before he outplayed Yuwa Kosaihira on the second playoff hole with a par to win the Sansan KBC Augusta on Sunday.
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The 30-year-old looked poised to win his third JGTO title with a comfortable two-shot cushion as he headed into his last two holes at the Keya Golf Club. However, a fast-charging Kosaihira, who had already stormed up leaderboard with five birdies on holes six, seven, 10, 13 and 15, made it a dramatic finish as he birdied 17 and 18 to extend the contest after signing for a final round seven-under-par 65 and a four-day total of 19-under-par 269.
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“After the bogey on 17, I thought I could win if I could make par on 18. But I couldn’t swing fully with my tee shot and the ball ended up in the right bunker. The resulting par putt wasn’t an easy line, but I hit it where I wanted. However, I misread the line,” said Kozuma.
Kozuma and Kosaihira parred the first playoff hole but it was Kozuma who would eventually prevail on the second playoff hole after Kosaihira drove his tee shot out of bounds before making a bogey while a par was enough for Kozuma to stand victorious in front of the cheering crowd that included his wife and son.
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“This is the first time my family is watching me in contention on the final day. I wanted to win it so badly for them. Winning in front of my family has always been a goal and I’m glad I achieved it today,” said Kozuma.
Meanwhile, Kosaihira bemoaned the costly wayward drive on his second playoff hole as his wait for his JGTO breakthrough prolonged.
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“My mindset didn’t change after I knew the winner would be decided in a playoff. I was still very focused but it was just my tee shot on the second playoff hole which I regretted not doing better.
“I prepared well, and I think the results showed even though I didn’t win. Moving forward, I will continue to prepare thoroughly for the next event,” said Kosaihira.
South Africa’s Shaun Norris, who trailed Kozuma by one shot before the start of the final round, signed off with a 69 to share third place with Taichi Nabetani.
