Steadfast Amateur Duo Remain in Title Mix

Ibaraki, Japan: World Amateur Golf Ranking number one Keita Nakajima and Kazuma Kobori enter Sunday’s final round in the ¥100 million Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup with hopes of victory still alive.

New Zealander Kobori carded a third-round two-under-par 68 at Oarai Golf Club. He ended the day in a share of seventh place, just two strokes off the pace being set by compatriot Ben Campbell and the Japanese trio of Kaito Onishi, Yuto Katsuragawa and Ryuko Tokimatsu.

Reigning Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) winner Nakajima is joint 11th on 208 after an even-par 70 in the event that is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

Already a winner on the JGTO, Nakajima is this week seeking to retain the low amateur award he collected at last year’s Diamond Cup.

Like Nakajima, Kobori also has his sights set on the amateur title and an overall victory.

This is not the first time that the duo have been in the same field. Both participated in the 2019 AAC in Shanghai, where Nakajima placed equal 18th and Kobori shared 35th spot.

Bidding for his second pro win, to go alongside his 2018 New Zealand PGA Championship success, Campbell had two impressive outings in the AAC, finishing joint fourth in Japan in 2010 and third in Singapore in 2011. On both occasions, Hideki Matsuyama triumphed.

Of his third round 66, Campbell said: “My front nine was really good. It’s a great golf course. It’s tough. You have to stay patient. I had five weeks off before this week and was feeling a bit rusty.

“I know what I need to do. I just need to keep doing it all the time. If I can play like I did today, I think I can give myself a good chance.”

Also in bullish mood is Onishi, who has only been a professional for one year. Despite a difficult day on the course, which saw him make two birdies and three bogeys, he has faith in his ability to complete the task.

“I’m not bad at golf so I think I have a good chance tomorrow,” joked the 23-year-old, who graduated from the University of Southern California last year. “My golf is in good shape, so I think I can win if the shots and putts mesh well. I think I have a chance if I can play my best golf.”

The Diamond Cup is hosted by the Japan Golf Association (JGA) in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), Kansai TV and Mitsubishi Corporation.

Courtesy of The R&A, this week’s winner will be rewarded with an exemption into July’s 150th Open Championship at St Andrews.

This is the 11th occasion that the Diamond Cup has been held at Oarai Golf Club, but the first occasion since 2013 when two-time AAC winner Matsuyama claimed the title, a matter of months after turning professional.