Semikawa Eyes Money List Title After Kansai Cruise

Kansai, Japan: Taiga Semikawa outshone fellow former World Amateur Golf Ranking number one Keita Nakajima to win the Japan Golf Tour Organisation’s (JGTO) Kansai Open Golf Championship in fine style.

Semikawa fired a final round four-under-par 67 at the Izumigaoka Country Club to win by four shots from Japanese compatriot Takahiro Hataji. Nakajima, winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2021, ended in ninth place.

It was Semikawa’s third title on the JGTO but his first as a professional. Before joining the play-for-pay ranks in November last year, the 22-year-old won the Panasonic Open and the Japan Open.

Semikawa was pleased to have made amends after last year’s final round Kansai Open meltdown when he finished tied-17th, having entered the final day in solo third.

“I really wanted to make up for last year’s disappointment. I think I’ve become more mature since then,” said Semikawa, who is setting his sights on becoming the JGTO’s prize money king this season.

“(Kazuki) Higa won this tournament and went on to top the prize money rankings (last year). It’s my hope that I can do the same too,” he said.