Reigning JGTO money list leader Takumi Kanaya signed off from the inaugural Baycurrent Classic with a flawless nine-under-par 62 to finish tied for fourth, making him the top‐placed Japanese in the field.
Related: Ren Yonezawa leads Japan’s charge at Baycurrent Championship
World No. 4 Xander Schauffele captured the title with a closing 64 edging out Max Greyserman by one shot at Yokohama Country Club.
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Kanaya started his final round with confidence and delivered one of his best performances of the week. He charged out with five birdies for an outward 31 before closing with four more birdies in his last six holes.
“From the start I played well, and in the back nine I made key putts at the right times,” said Kanaya. “I kept my mindset the same all week. Today, a lot of putts dropped, and that showed in my score.”
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Though the leaders pulled away at the top, Kanaya stayed focused on his own game. “Rather than watching the board, I tried to stick to my own style and play each shot the best I could,” he explained.
Birdies on 15, 16, and 17 gave him momentum, and he also holed a clutch par putt to close.
“That three-in-a-row was huge,” Kanaya reflected. “And that last par putt—I thought it was one of my best.”
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Kanaya noted the effect of the gallery support throughout the tournament. “Their encouragement really gives me energy. I felt it all week, and I think it played a part in performing well.”
The 27-year-old hopes the strong showing at the PGA TOUR event will carry forward into the upcoming JGTO events. “I believe my ranking will move up. There are still more chances, so I’ll keep doing what I do best and prepare well going forward.”
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The American ended a drought stretching back to his win at the British Open last year, which came two months after he claimed his first major at the PGA Championship.
Schauffele, who won Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021, was delighted to win his first title of the year after struggling with injury earlier in the year.
“It feels good, it’s nice to know I’ve still got it,” said Schauffele. “It was a rough year, but my team dragged me through it.”
