Ren Yonezawa returned to the winner’s circle again after closing with a blemish-free seven-under-par 64 to win the Yokohama Minato Championship- Fujiki Centennial on Sunday.
Related: In uncharted territory, Mikiya Akutsu seeks JGTO breakthrough
It was the 25-year-old’s second victory since May when he secured his JGTO breakthrough at The Crowns in Nagoya.
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Overnight leader Mikiya Akutsu was visibly disappointed as his wait for his maiden JGTO win was prolonged after he signed for a 69 to finish three shots behind Yonezawa.
Naoyuki Kataoka took third place on his own after posting a final round 67 while second round leader Lee Sang-hee of South Korea finished in a share of fourth place with Mikumu Horikawa and Ryosuke Kinoshita.
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Yonezawa trailed Akutsu by two shots at the start of the day. But he quickly made up for that deficit by storming ahead with four birdies in the first six holes. After an outward 31, he charged further ahead with birdies on holes 14, 15 and 17 before a closing par on 18 saw him sign for a winning four-day total of 22-under-par 262.
“I’m thrilled to have won for the second time. I didn’t expect this win to come again so soon. After a disappointing finish at the Tour Championship where I finished third, I struggled for a period with poor form. So, this win has given me a huge confidence boost!” said Yonezawa.
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Akutsu was left to rue what could have been as he felt he could finally have the chance to secure his maiden JGTO title since turning professional five years ago. He started promisingly with a birdie on the second hole but could not get another until the par-four 11.
He mounted a fightback with another birdie on 14 but a bogey on the closing 18 put paid to all hopes of a victory.
“I’m disappointed. I thought I had a good chance to build on my momentum after the birdie on the second hole. But I struggled with the holes after that and Yonezawa was already catching up fast then. I’m not sure if I’ll be in the final group again next time, but if I do, I hope to be in a winning position,” said Akutsu.
