Takumi Kanaya moved four shots clear at the halfway stage of the ASO Iizuka Challenged Golf Tournament after another brilliant second-round 65 took him to 17-under-par for the tournament.
The 25-year-old’s brilliant seven-under-par effort at Aso Iizuka Golf Club on Friday featured a bogey-free scorecard containing seven birdies, including a hat-trick of gains on the last three holes.
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Kanaya, buoyed from winning the BMW JGT Championship Mori Building Cup last Sunday, underlined his intention to make it two victories on the trot when he opened with a 10-under-par 62 on Thursday.
“Although my shots in the first half weren’t that good, I managed to improve my rhythm in the second half and was able to capitalise on many opportunities,” said Kanaya, who completed his front-nine with just two birdies.
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“I wasn’t entirely sure what caused that (struggle with his shots), but I had to hit from the rough quite often. Despite that, I was able to get through the front nine without dropping a single bogey.”
Kanaya insisted that he was still in tip-top condition despite finding himself in contention for the third week running.
Prior to winning last week’s event, Kanaya also played well to finish third at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open.
“I had the chance to rest on Wednesday, and yesterday I finished in the morning, so I had plenty of time to rest,” he said.
“I’m feeling confident right now. By getting enough rest, it helped me to stay focused during play. I want to do my best for the remaining two days.”
With 36 holes remaining, Kanaya certainly can’t put his guard down just yet as his closest pursuer, Keita Nakajima has shot up to second following a superb 64 to reach 13-under-par.
Nakajima proved why he’s one of the men with the hottest form in recent weeks, with two runner-up finishes in the last two outings, by impressing with six birdies and an eagle on the par-five 17th.
“I didn’t really think about catching up with Kanaya-san today. Golf is played over four days, so my intention is to play well to be in a good position on the final day,” he said.
“Being in contention for the win in the final group on the final day is the most important thing.”
Unheralded 26-year-old Ryo Okamura fired a second straight 66 to sit alone in third at 12-under-par.
American Todd Baek will head into the weekend as the best-placed international player in a share for 10th on nine-under-par 135 after following his first-round 69 with an-improved 66.
