JGTO reigning money ranking champion Kanaya leads Japan’s charge at The 153rd Open

Reigning JGTO money ranking winner Takumi Kanaya emerged as the leading Japanese after an even-par 71 at the opening round of The Open placed him in a share of 32^nd place at Royal Portrush Golf Club on Thursday. 
 
Open debutant Riki Kawamoto returned with a 72 to end the first round in tied-45^th place, while 2021 Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama signed for a 74 for a share of 97^th place, which also includes Rikuya Hoshino.
 
Shugo Imahira (76) and Mikiya Akutsu (78) struggled in the blustery Northern Ireland conditions, signing for rounds of 76 and 78 to sit in ties for 128th and 144th, respectively.
 
Shugo Imahira (76) and Mikiya Akutsu (78) are placed in tied-128^th and tied-144^th, respectively.
 
Kanaya, making his fifth Open appearance, mixed four birdies with four bogeys to trail the five opening round leaders by four shots. Jacob Skov Olesen, Haotong Li, Matt Fitzpatrick, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Harris English all shot matching 67s to set the early pace under changing weather conditions in Northern Ireland. 
 
“I didn’t start very well today, but things gradually improved. I made some good birdie putts and overall, it was a solid round,” said Kanaya. “My ball-striking is getting better, and under these windy conditions, shot control is crucial. I’ll focus on that this week.”
 
Kawamoto, meanwhile, is determined to make up ground as he returns to the starting tee on Friday. He said: “The one thing I mustn't do is hit a double bogey tomorrow. I definitely want to get my score back tomorrow.
 
“The one thing I must avoid tomorrow is making a double bogey,” said Kawamoto. “It’s unfortunate how the final holes turned out, especially after a double on 15 and a bogey on 17. My tee shots went into the rough and got me into trouble.”
 
Only nine players have won The Open after not being in the top 20 at the end of the first round (since 1892 over 72 holes) 
 
Ends.