Miyazaki, Japan: Less than a month ago, Yuta Sugiura cut a sad, solitary figure after missing the half-cut in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) at Royal Melbourne in Australia.
Yesterday, Sugiura made history at the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament by becoming the first amateur champion in the event’s landmark 50th edition, and only the seventh amateur winner in the history of the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
It was a remarkable display from the 22-year-old who had the distinction of scoring the winning point for the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation in August’s victory over the European Golf Association in the Ryder Cup-style Bonallack Trophy in Spain.
In the immediate wake of his triumph at the Phoenix Country Club, Sugiura confirmed that he was turning professional.
Sugiura, who twice rebounded from setbacks in the final round, signed off with an even-par 71. His 12-under 272 aggregate was three shots ahead of JGTO heavyweights and former amateur standouts Taiga Semikawa and Keita Nakajima, AAC winner in 2021.
Sugiura joins an illustrious list of winners of one of the JGTO’s most prestigious tournaments, among them Tiger Woods, Masashi 'Jumbo' Ozaki, Ernie Els, Luke Donald, Brooks Koepka, and Hideki Matsuyama.
Sugiura said: “I’m really happy. It was a goal I’ve had for a long time, and I’m truly happy to have achieved it in my last match as an amateur.
“What makes this victory extra special is that the tournament is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and there were many foreign stars participating. It’s truly a wonderful tournament.”
Beginning the day with a four-shot lead, Sugiura maintained his top position throughout, though he encountered a couple of tense moments.
His opening hole saw a bogey, and later, he conceded three shots with a double-bogey on the 11th and a bogey on the 12th.
This allowed Semikawa to narrow the deficit to two shots. However, Sugiura demonstrated unwavering composure, rebounding with birdies on the 16th and 18th to seal the deal.
“Despite the four-shot difference, I knew I could be caught up in an instant with a small mistake. So I kept my focus on each shot without letting my guard down,” said Sugiura, who led Japan to victory at last year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Team Championship for the Nomura Cup, claiming low individual honours for good measure.
Semikawa’s closing 66 featured seven birdies and two bogeys and was good enough to place him in a share of second at nine-under with Nakajima, who shot a 69.
Semikawa was full of praise for Sugiura after the latter followed in his footsteps by winning a JGTO event as an amateur.
However, Semikawa, who won the Panasonic Open and Japan Open last year, said Sugiura’s success did not come as a surprise.
“It’s remarkable. I can relate to it to some extent. Sugiura had a much higher standing than I did since our student days,” said Semikawa.
“Despite my sudden ascent to first place in World Amateur Golf Ranking last year, Sugiura had already established himself as a significantly superior player since his college days. His victory wasn’t unexpected.”
By sharing ¥60 million with Semikawa due to Sugiura's ineligibility for prize money, Nakajima strengthened his position at the top of the JGTO Money Rankings.
With earnings of ¥162,886,179, Nakajima holds a comfortable lead over second-placed Takumi Kanaya (¥122,548,999), while Semikawa is third on ¥110,979,749.
“I want to win next week’s tournament and edge closer to the goal (of winning the money list title). I want to approach the tournament with that kind of mindset," said Nakajima.
Australian Brad Kennedy finished as the highest-placed international competitor after a closing 72, securing a tied fourth position on 277.
Koepka also registered a 72 to share 15th spot at three-under, while fellow PGA Tour stars Shahith Theegala and Wyndham Clark posted 71 and 70 to be placed tied-31st and tied-37th respectively.