Shingo Katayama takes a four-stroke lead after the first round of the Tsuruya Open – Golf News
Shingo Katayama fired a nine-under par 62 in the opening round of Japan Golf Tour’s Tsuruya Open to take a four-stroke lead over Ryuichi Oda, on Thursday, April 19, 2012.
Katayama got off to a great start, as he carded three birdies on the first three holes that he played before scoring his maiden bogey of the day on the fourth hole.
Overall, he managed to score 10 birdies that were enough to level the tournament record at the Yamanohara Golf Club in Hyogo Prefecture.
He is recently enjoying a great form while hoping to end his three-year title drought on the tour. He missed the chance of a win last week when he finished tied for the fourth place in the Token Homemate Cup.
He had a one-stroke lead while entering the final round of the season-opening event. However, his two-under par 69 was not enough against the winner Brendan Jones’ nine-under par 62.
It was not him who faltered in the final round. In fact, it was Jones who snatched the victory from him.
Yet, Katayama did not lose hope and moved to Yamanohara Golf Club with an aim of improving his record in the season.
“I did more than enough for today,” Katayama said. “I prepared myself in the offseason to play well in the first three events of the season. Things have gone really well. My swing, ball flight and mental state have all come together”.
He has improved massively in the past few months and is giving a tough time to his rivals in each of the tournament he plays.
Therefore, he now has a great chance to extend his lead in the upcoming round through the repetition of a similar performance, like the one he displayed on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Oda also enjoyed his first round performance, as he managed to avoid the bogey shots throughout the round.
He carded five-under par 66 to take the sole second spot on the leaderboard. Five players, Hyung-Sung Kim Han Lee, Yoshikazu Haku, Masahiro Kawamura and Chawalit Plaphol, were further a stroke behind to share the third spot.
The defending champion Tomohiro Kondo carded one-under par 70 to tie for the 27th position.
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