JGTO players ready for challenge abroad at Hana Bank Invitational

JGTO players will be looking to make their mark away from home again as they head to Korea for the Hana Bank Invitational, which tees off at The Heaven Country Club on Thursday.
 
Takashi Ogiso fended off a late charge from South Korea's Jang Yu-bin with a birdie at the last hole to win his maiden JGTO title last year. The 28-year-old will be part of the strong JGTO field, expected to put up a strong challenge again in the tournament, which is co-sanctioned by the JGTO and KPGA.

It has also been a close contest between players from both Tours at the Hana Bank Invitational.

In 2023, South Korea's Yang Ji-ho prevailed in a thrilling contest at Chiba Isumi Golf Club, narrowly edging out Keita Nakajima for victory by a single shot.
 
Ogiso will start his title defence in good form, having finished tied-sixth at the BMW Japan Golf Tour Championship Mori Building Cup last week.

2022 JGTO Money Ranking champion Kazuki Higa will also feature in the strong field and is hopeful of replicating his winning form away from home.

“Even though I haven’t won on the Japan Golf Tour lately, I’ve still been finishing near the top. I want to find that momentum and win soon.

I’m playing solid golf, so to keep that going, I need to win quickly. I’m in a state where I’m not really worried about anything,” said Higa, who has three top-10s in seven starts on the JGTO this season so far.

"The tournament will once again bring together a field of 144 players,  competing for the lucrative winner's prize of 1,300,000,000 KRW and a two-year exemption on both tours.

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