Kanaya Makes Strong Start to Pro Career

Chiba, Japan: Takumi Kanaya marked his eagerly-anticipated professional debut with a top-10 finish in the 85th Japan Open Golf Championship.

As well as banking a cheque for ￥6,615,000 (about US$62,674), Kanaya’s week was highlighted by a presentation of the McCormack Medal as number one on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

“I’d been aiming to win this medal, so I’m happy to be able to achieve it,” said the 22-year-old, who received the medal and a certificate from Nobuko Hirayama, a World Amateur Golf Ranking Advisory Board Member, and Director of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation.

“I just want to improve myself. I want to improve myself more and more. I think it’s my aspiration. I’m full of feelings that I want to get better and better,” said Kanaya, winner of the 2018 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.

Kanaya made the switch to the pro ranks following his appearance in last month’s US Open. Having made his professional bow in the Japan Open, he’s now in the United States where he’s among eight Japanese golfers in the field for this week’s US$8 million ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP.

Rather than bask in the glory of finishing seventh in the Japan Open over the Sumire Course at Murasaki Country Club, Kanaya was disappointed he failed to mount a stronger challenge for the title.

“Looking back, I think I could have done more,” said Kanaya, who closed with a third successive one-under-par 69 for a four-day aggregate of one-under 279 – four shots behind the champion, Yuki Inamori.

By his own admission, Kanaya’s putting let him down on the final day. “I hit good shots to give me a chance, but with the rain I couldn’t grasp the hardness and speed of the greens,” he added.

Nonetheless, his ambition remains undimmed. He said: “I’m going to fight on the world’s Tours … and chase after Hideki Matsuyama! As a professional, I want my first win as soon as possible!”