Tournament article

Kansai Open Golf Championship 2019

Tomoharu Otsuki finally gets his 1st victory after 9 years as a Pro

Final day of the 85th Kansai Open, the oldest of the Japan Tour, was filled with birdies and it went down to a dead heat battle between Tomoharu Otsuki and Rikuya Hoshino. Tomoharu was 1 shot behind but his birdie on the final hole lead to the playoffs. The battle between them took 4 extra holes to conclude. Rikuya only could save par but Tomoharu made birdie on the 4th playoff hole and grabbed his most wanted 1st victory.

Playoff hole was 344 yards 18th, getting it on one was possible.
"I didn't want to play it safe and lay up, so I used 1W on every 18, including the regulation."

On his first playoff hole, his shot from the rough got caught in the bunker but managed to save 6-meter par putt. Then on his 4th hole, it was 3-meter birdie putt, which was similar line as the one at the regulation 18th. Tomoharu successfully made the birdie and grabbed his victory No.1.

"I was always celebrating fellow players' victory and was wondering if I would ever win myself."
Today was the day. So many fellow players gathered to congratulate and gave him water shower.

He could also tell his fellow college mate Satoshi Imahira about his dramatic first victory, who will be back next week for the Mizuno Open, face to face. "I was always happy to see Satoshi win, but I did feel left out, but now I was a title under my name too. I did suffer a lot to get here, but I continued to stick to my original swing. I chose to continue no matter what instead of changing all the time. That consistency gave me confidence."

He has become Order of Merit titleholder for Challenge Tour in 2017, gained Tour Card in 2018 and got his first victory in 2019. His dream is to play in US PGA Tour someday.
"I will keep on fighting to achieve that dream."

Tomoharu's father was in tears listening to his son's victory interview. His parents drove for 7 hours last night, after Tomoharu became tied to 4th and 3 shot behind the leader.

"We are so glad that we came. Today is best day of our life", says Tomoharu's 70 years old father.

"My father taught me how to play golf. I haven't had the chance to thank him properly, so I will do so this time."

His father was so happy to see many friends and fans cheered for his son and told the media that "He is the best son a father could have".