Tournament article

The Crowns 2019

60 somethings are making the CUT at the 60th anniversary "The Crowns"

62 years old Joe Ozaki made the cut on the regular tour for the first time in 3 years. He finished at 5 over par and thought he won't make the cut, but welcoming news arrived at his hotel. For the first 2 rounds Joe grouped with Hoshino and Akiyoshi, both young and drives so long. Joe completely lost his confidence and power playing along with the 2 young guns. Joe really though this will be his last regular tour appearance.
Great news must motivate him a lot, but he answered saying "I will go slowly" in gentlemanly manner. Spectators are so excited to see the Champion of The Crowns in 2005 show his expertise.

Another 60 something that made the surprising CUT was Nobuo Serizawa, who is 60 but went through a difficult surgery and made a comeback to the weekend in 7 years.

Nobuo started out at 1 under, had 1 birdie and a bogey on his front nine but with a birdie on 10th, he was Even for a while. But that got him too excited.
"I got greedy and thought I might get into red numbers."

Then he made a 3 putt on 11th for double bogey. The cutline worried him, and that made him make miss the par saves on the 15 and 18, ending with total 4 over par.

Nobuo has 5 victories in regular tour but now he mainly plays in the Senior Tour. He was invited by the sponsor again this year, so it was his regular tour in 1 year.
"I should be grateful to even play in regular tour, but I am delighted to go into the weekend."

Nobuo went through a surgery for hip osteoarthritis, placed 12cm titanium hip joint last August. The surgery that Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson has done and succeeded. He was hospitalized for 10 days, went for 3 months of rehabilitation, and re-started from his short games. He had a practice trip in Hawaii in January and was to make full swing and shoot 100 balls per day. His first real 18 holes play was at April for Senior Tour where he finished 52nd.

He is not in his best condition yet. Walking 18 holes beats his body pretty tough still. Great care by his physical trainer make it possible.
"I am so grateful that I made the cut, but that means I have to play 2 more days at Wago, that is very tough. I might lose my tension. I hope I don't mess up" he smiled.