Tsukada returns to winner’s circle with five-shot victory at Dunlop Phoenix Tournament

Yosuke Tsukada cruised to a comfortable five-shot win at the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament on Sunday, sealing his long-awaited return to the winner’s circle after nine years.
 
The 40-year-old closed with a three-under-par 67 for a winning total of 13-under 267, securing his second JGTO title and his first since 2016.
 
Riki Kawamoto (67), Tatsunori Shogenji (68) and Mikumu Horikawa (69) shared second place on 272, while Hideki Matsuyama (68) finished a further shot back in a tie for fifth alongside Kohei Okada (66) and Ryosuke Kinoshita (68).
 
“I’m very happy to have won my second tournament in nine years. I feel like these past nine years have flown by so quickly, which means they were truly fulfilling—and that led to this victory,” said Tsukada.
 
Tsukada overcame an early bogey on the opening hole by staying patient, picking up his first birdie on the sixth. He then reeled off six straight pars before closing with three birdies over his final six holes at Phoenix Country Club.
 
“My third shot on the final hole landed on the edge of the cup for a birdie finish. I was relieved because I didn’t have to be nervous about my winning putt.
 
“My goal this week was to shoot three-under every day. That allowed me not to worry about the other players’ scores, and I’m pleased I achieved that,” he added.
 
Leading final round scores
267 – Yosuke Tsukada 67-66-67-67
272 – Riki Kawamoto 69-70-66-67, Tatsunori Shogenji 67-66-71-68, Mikumu Horikawa 67-70-66-69
273 – Kohei Okada 68-69-70-66, Ryosuke Kinoshita 69-68-68-68, Hideki Matsuyama 70-67-68-68
274 – Yusaku Miyazato 73-67-68-66, Taiga Semikawa 67-72-68-67, Hiroshi Iwata 71-70-65-68
 
*All Japanese unless indicated otherwise