Tournament article

Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters 2020

Jinichiro Kosuma finally caught up with his sister by making his first Victory in 8th year as Pro

26 years old Jinichiro Kozuma was in joy, but finally being able to win on his 8th year as a Pro. This year's SMBC VISA Taiheiyo Masters was a very close battle, several players such as Chan Kim, defending champion Takumi Kanaya and powerful amateur Keita Nakajima were all bunched up on the top of the leader board and anyone could have win.

On final Par 5 18th, Jinichiro made the fabulous second shot that was one in million. He took 5I from 230 yards to the pin, which could almost have caught the hole for double-eagle. This magnificent shot gave him easy tap-in eagle to take away the victory.

"Last 4 holes were verve breaking. My gut was aching with the pressure, but the winning putt was so close, I didn't have to worry. I am so happy and at the same time so relieved that I finally won."

Jinichiro started off 1 shot behind the leaders on Final Round but with 3 birdies on first 4 holes, he was up on the top with 2 shot advantage. But on 6th he ended up making a double bogey getting caught in the water hazard, followed by a bogey on 7th. Then the score board got really crowded at the top, every player had the chance to win.

"It was very windy and freezing weather so I told myself that other players must be having a hard time too. Making score with the short game and putter is my game style so I sticked to it."

Jinichiro made 10-meter birdie on 8 th and got himself back into the game. After making the miraculous double-eagle on 18th, he stayed at the scoring tent watching the broadcast anticipate that there could be a playoff. After he saw the outcome of the final group, his victory was concrete. He jumped out from the scoring tent to be celebrated by his fellow players with water shower.
"That shower felt so good. But it was freezing too."
Jinichiro was all smiles and also in many tears with joy.

His elder sister and Japan's LPGA player Kotono have already won in 2018. With Jinichiro's victory, this will become another sibling's pair victory since Yusaku and Ai Miyazato (brother & sister) .