Suguru Shimoke won his maiden JGTO title at the Vantelin Tokai Classic with a one-shot victory after closing with a seven-under-par 64 for a winning total of 17-under-par 267 at the Miyoshi Country Club West Course on Sunday.
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The 23-year-old started the day tied for the lead with Shugo Imahira and would cap a memorable day with a grandstand finish after marking his card with seven birdies, one eagle and two bogeys to pip Kazuki Yasumori, who matched his 64 but closed with a 268 total.
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“I was nervous before that final putt, my hands were shaking,” admitted Shimoke, who tapped in for par on the 18th to seal victory. “So many thoughts were running through my mind, but once I holed it, everything was just joy. I didn’t even mark the ball because I wanted to hit it quickly.”
The young Japanese star built early momentum with birdies at the second, fourth, fifth and sixth holes, before dropping a shot on seven. But he rolled in further gains on the eighth, 12th and 13th holes before soaring ahead with an eagle on 15. He dropped another shot on 17 but a closing par on 18 would seal his victory.
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Yasumori matched Shimoke’s 64 to finish runner-up on 268, while Imahira, celebrating his birthday week, slipped to a share of third after a 67 left him at 270.
The win was especially special for Shimoke, who first made his name at Miyoshi Country Club when he captured low amateur title at the 2021 edition.
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“This course has always felt comfortable for me,” he said. “It’s where I played my first JGTO event, and now it’s where I’ve won my first title. That makes it even more special.”
Looking ahead, Shimoke revealed bigger ambitions. “I don’t just want to try the PGA Tour. I want to go,” he said. “The Masters is the major I dream about. When Matsuyama-san won, I realised what’s possible for us Japanese players too.”
