Takahiro Hataji secured his second JGTO win in four months by pipping Takumi Kanaya by one shot to win the Vantelin Tokai Classic on Sunday.
Kanaya, a six-time JGTO winner, matched Hataji’s final round effort of six-under-par 65, but his four-day total of 16-under-par 268 was just one shot shy of claiming the title at the Myoshi Country Club.
Yusuke Sakamoto (67) and Yusaku Hosono (68) signed off with matching 269 total to share third place while overnight leader Aguri Iwasaki posted a 69 to end the week in a share of fifth place with Kensei Hirata, Shugo Imahira and Takashi Ogiso.
Hataji, who relinquished his lead after the first round, got back to the top of the leaderboard on the day which matters most by trading seven birdies against one bogey for a 267 winning total.
He issued his strong statement of intent with three birdies in his first five holes. After dropping his only shot of the day on the par-four nine, he charged back with four birdies to fend off the Kanaya’s challenge and snatch the title.
“The weather was hot and humid today, which was surprising because I had expected it to be cooler. I was paired with Takumi Kanaya, and I knew the showdown will be unpredictable given how competitive he is.
“I went into the round with the mentality that I wouldn’t win. I told myself to just focus on playing my own game, and it helped me stay calm on the front nine.”,” said Hataji.
When asked what are his next goals after achieving his second JGTO win, Hataji said: “I’m aiming for a major win, especially at the Japan Open. Last year, I played in the final group with Ryo Ishikawa, and it left a huge impression on me. I want to experience that again, but this time, I want to win.”
Kanaya also started strongly with a hat-trick of birdies from his opening hole to quickly erase his two-shot deficit, which he had trailed Iwasaki overnight. After seven straight pars, he made three more birdies in his next four holes.
With Hataji on a birdie blitz on his own too, Kanaya knew he had to make at least another birdie to send the contest into extra-time. But it proved elusive, and with four pars from the 15th, the 26-year-old had to eventually settle for a runner-up finish.
“I played really well today. But hat’s off to Hataji. He was the better player today and his performance was fantastic. There were some key moments, especially on the six and seven holes where I made crucial par saves,” said Kanaya.
Leading final round scores
All Japanese unless indicated otherwise
267 – Takahiro Hataji 64-69-69-65
268 – Takumi Kanaya 70-67-66-65
269 – Yusuke Sakamoto 68-70-64-67, Yusaku Hosono 66-66-69-68
270 – Kensei Hirata 66-68-73-63, Shugo Imahira 69-65-69-67,Takashi Ogiso 70-68-66-66, Aguri Iwasaki 68-65-68-69
