Takumi Kanaya remains confident of mounting a weekend charge after returning with a two-under-par 68 in the second round of the ZOZO Championship on Friday.
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The seven-time JGTO winner trails Colombian leader Nico Echavarria by six shots in tied-13th place but knows there is still everything to play for with 36 holes still to be contested at the no-cut event which is held at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club.
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Kanaya parred his first four holes in his opening back-nine 10 before picking up his first birdie on 14. He bogeyed 15 and 17 but charged back with four birdies on holes 18, two, five and six. The 26-year-old dropped another shot on eight but would close his round with a birdie on nine for a two-day total of six-under-par 134.
“I made a couple of mistakes in the middle of my round today but I know I can always do better, especially with two more rounds to be played. I’ve been putting well and I will continue to do my best,” said Kanaya.
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Kensei Hirata, meanwhile, made one of the biggest moves for the Japanese contingent by jumping 19 places up to tied-16th with an improved 66.
Hirata, who has already won four times on the JGTO this season, stumbled early with an opening bogey but recovered with two birdies on three and six before dropping another shot on nine to turn in 34.
The 23-year-old had a flawless back-nine where he marked his card with four birdies on the 10th, 13th, 15thand 16th hole.
“My putting was a lot better today. Most of the putts that didn’t go into the hole yesterday, went in today. So, I’m very pleased with myself. I’m looking forward to starting again when the weekend round comes around,” said Hirata.
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Taisei Shimizu leads the Japanese charge in tied-ninth place with his 133 total while home favourite Hideki Matsuyama signed for another 71 to languish in tied-65th place.
Echavarria matched his opening round efforts with another 64 and will start the third round in pole position for the first time in his career.
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“I’ve never had a lead after 36 holes. I’ve had it after 54, but never after 36, so it’s good to be in this position.
“There’s got to be some pressure. Hopefully, a good round tomorrow can keep me in the lead or around the lead. The goal is to be close with nine holes to go,” said the Colombian.
