Nakano Triumphs in Sudden-Death Play-Off

Hokkaido, Japan: Big-hitting Rintaro Nakano outlasted Riku Unose in a tense play-off to claim victory in the 107th edition of the Japan Amateur Golf Championship.

Nakano and Unose finished the regulation 72-hole event at Tsukisap Golf Club locked together on 15-under-par 273.

Nakano, who bogeyed the final hole for a closing 70 to drop into a tie for top spot with Unose, eventually prevailed with a birdie at the third hole of sudden-death.

For university student Nakano, who will turn 20 in November, it was the biggest win of his career. He began the week in 305th position in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) but will now close the gap on Yuta Sugiura (19th) and Kohei Okada (22nd), the two highest-rated Japanese in the standings.

Okada’s bid for a successful Japan Amateur title defence fell agonisingly short. Following an opening 73, he fought his way back into contention but despite a final-day 66 he ended one shot shy of joining the play-off.

Sugiura, who spearheaded the triumphant Japanese team at last year’s Nomura Cup when he also won low individual honours, began the final day at Tsukisap Golf Club just one shot off the pace being set by Nakano.

But he could only manage a closing even-par 72 to finish in a share of sixth place on 276.

Reflecting on his success, Nakano, who averages 300 yards off the tee and names Spaniard Jon Rahm as his favourite golfer, said: “Even during the play-off, I could see the faces of the people who have supported me and I thought I might be able to repay them.”

The six-foot tall Nakano had special praise for his coaches who were instrumental in helping him increase his weight from 66 to 80 kilograms during his high school days. “I really appreciate it,” he said.

A week earlier, Saori Iijima was victorious in the 64th Japan Women’s Amateur Championship.

With rounds of 69, 70, 74 and 72, Iijima posted a four-day aggregate of three-under-par 285 at the Akita Country Club.

In joint second place on 286 were Karen Hokazono and Aina Fujimoto.

Saki Baba, the world number two, ended alone in sixth place on 288. Her title bid got off to a slow start with an opening 75 but a best-of-the-day final-round 68 lifted her up the leaderboard.

It proved to be a disappointing week for Yuna Araki, who failed to break 70 and had to settle for a share of 40th place on 298.

But Araki bounced back to win the following week’s Toyota Junior World Cup at Chukyo Golf Club with a 15-under-par 273 aggregate. With her third victory of the year, she’s risen to seventh in the WAGR.