Shingo Katayama tied for the lead at the Token Homemate Cup opening round
The 38-year-old celebrated Japanese golfer, Shingo Katayama, finally seemed to end his three year old win-less streak, as he grabbed the first round lead at Token Homemate Cup. With 6 under 65, Katayama is now tied for the lead with Kim Kyung Tae. The 26-time Japan Tour winner, while speaking to a press conference afterwards, revealed that his childhood house in the Ibaraki Prefecture was completely destroyed by the earthquake.
"Last week I went to see my old home in Chikusei, Ibaraki Prefecture, which was half-destroyed by the quake and is impossible to be rebuilt, I was heartbroken when I saw the damage to the place where I grew up and lived through early in my pro career. The only thing I could do was to bring back some of my mementos such as old golf clubs."
Katayama, besides having an impressive record at the Japan Tour, where he earned a lifetime exemption, has topped the Japan Tour money list five times. He also managed to earn a place in top 30 in the World Golf Rankings, seventh on the Career Wins List, and third on the Career Money List amassing a staggering ¥1.5 billion. Katayama finished fourth in the 2009 Masters with his brilliant 10 under and stunned the world with what Japan can offer to the sport. He finished on the likes of Toshimitsu Izawa (2001), as the best performing Japanese golfers at the Augusta. He was also invited in the 2010 episode of the Masters but failed to make the cut, and did not qualify for this year’s appearance.
Katayama was visiting his devastated home in the Ibaraki Prefecture last week, when the Masters was in full swing. "During the Masters week, I received e-mail from members of the tournament," Katayama said. "They were wondering where I was and why I wasn't in the field. That made me think the Masters is not a tournament for me to watch but a tournament to play."
Katayama has worked hard to bring back his prime once again and has also called back his 11-years old caddie Masanori Omizo. The veteran golfer is all set to add numbers to his 26 career wins with rejuvenated enthusiasm.
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