Four players tied at the Panasonic Open
The first round of the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open ended with four players tied for the lead after shooting four-under-par rounds of 67.
The tournament, jointly sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour and the Asian Tour, taking place in Kobe, Japan, was shortened from 72 holes to 54 after heavy wind and rain forced the cancellation
of the opening round yesterday. But with more cooperative weather today, all players finished their first rounds at the challenging par-71 Rokko Kokusai Golf Club in the $1.7m event.
Kazuhiko Hosokawa and Shintaro Kai, both playing in their home country, enjoy a share of the lead after one round. Joining them in the top position are South Korea’s S.K. Ho and India’s
Guganjeet Bhullar.
Of the four leaders, the 21-year-old Bhullar was the only one to play a bogey-free round of golf.
"It was quite a satisfying round because the layout is pretty tough, especially the rough. I just played sensibly and consistent golf," said the two-time Asian Tour winner, whose round
included a run of three straight birdies on the back nine.
The 37-year-old Ho, an eight-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour, was happy with his play especially given that he has only two top-10 finishes in the past two seasons.
"My play has been bad the last two years. I’ve not been practicing so much as I’ve been busy at home. I’ve got two kids and I’m busy being a father which is an important job as well,"
said Ho, who finished his round with three birdies on the back nine.
Defending champion Daisuke Maruyama and Australian Marcus Fraser, second on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit, are in the hunt after both players shot a 68.
The immensely popular Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa, just 19 years of age, shot a two-under-par round of 69. The star, known as the “Bashful Prince,” attracted a large gallery to watch his
opening round which included six birdies.
"I was very happy and also I’m very tired. It was very tough conditions today. The winds were stronger and also different from yesterday," said Ishikawa.
Another teenager in the field, Korean Noh Seung-yul, shot a 70. Fans would love to see a battle between the 19-year-olds Noh and Ishikawa. But Noh was not happy with his play.
"My shots were terrible," said Noh, who leads the Asian Tour's Order of Merit. "Everything wasn’t good. I don’t know what is going on with my swing. I'm going to the range this afternoon."
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