Takumi Kanaya staged a sensational comeback by firing a final round eight-under-par 63 to force a playoff with South Korea’s Ryu Hyun-woo before taking down the South Korean veteran to win the ACN Championship Golf Tournament with a birdie in the first playoff hole on Sunday.
The 26-year-old started the day five shots off the lead but hauled his way back into contention by firing eight birdies in a blemish-free card to deny Ryu of his third JGTO win at the Miki Country Club.
“I thought that if I didn’t make a lot of birdies, I wouldn’t be able to catch up with the leader. However, I believed that if I could play my own game, I could put myself into contention again. I managed to do that and win the playoff, which was great!” said Kanaya.
With the 2024 JGTO season approaching its climax with five events left to play, Kanaya hopes to remain focused and end his season with a flourish.
“I think all players are aiming to become the money leader. Even though last year was difficult, I’ve realised that continuing to play my game is the most important thing.
“Especially towards the end of the season, I think there will be a lot of pressure from other players, but I want to focus on playing my game well,” said Kanaya.
Ryu, 43, also had a round to remember as he stormed to the clubhouse with seven birdies in a stunning back-nine charge.
Heading into the playoff with a 100 % win record, Ryu would, however, lose that proud record as he could only par the 18th playoff hole to settle for a runner-up finish.
“I won both my previous playoff so, i thought I might have a chance to do so again today. But Kanaya’s a really good player and hats off to him.
“I’m not young anymore, but I think I’m still doing well at my age. If I have another chance to be in contention again, I would like to win again,” said Ryu.
Leading final round scores
All Japanese nationals unless indicated otherwise
264 – Takumi Kanaya 68-68-65-63, Ryu Hyun-woo (KOR) 68-66-67-63
*Kanaya defeated Ryu with a birdie in the first playoff hole
267 – Kazuki Higa -65, Mikumu Horikawa 64-68-69-66, Brad Kennedy (AUS) 67-71-63-66
268 – Daisuke Kataoka 68-6670-64, Riki Kawamoto 70-68-66-64, Sejung Hiramoto 66-65-71-66, Mikiya Akutsu 68-69-65-66, Ryosuke Kinoshita 70-64-67-67, Shugo Imahira 67-69-65-67, Shunya Takeyasu 68-64-67-69
