3rd year professional Daiki Imano jumped into Top tie with 7 under joined the 2 big hitters, Chan Kim and Takahiro Hadachi. He is nephew of Yasuharu Imano, winner of 7 tournaments on the Japan Tour.

Daiki was able to play bogey free and made his career best score of 64 to jump up on the top.
"I was able to play well until the end."

Daiki says, his great score was possible thanks to the legendary caddy, Shigenori Shimizu. Shigenori has over 30 victories as professional caddy, and has paired with Toru Taniguchi and also Momoko Ueda, which both became the Order of Merit Champions.

Daiki had surprising chance to have the privilege of having Shigenori as his caddy this week.
"Shigenori guided me all the way through. His knowledge and keen determinations on roughs, ball lies, yardages etc. was over my understanding. I don't think that deep or precisely, but he knew me more than I did. We talked about so many things that I should be watching carefully. He became my mentor."

Daiki started out from 10th, and for first few holes, the choice of the clubs didn't match among them.
"I was told to change the club from what I chose, but after 3 holes I got used to it and we were able to get on the same page."
As their chemical reaction started to work out, Daiki made 3 straight birdies from 14th and made the turn with 4 under.

I between the half turn, Daiki had lunch, Miyoshi CC's famous noodles.
"I got sleepy after I ate, so I took 15 minutes nap."

That quick break made him grab 3 more birdies on his back nine. Daiki has won the Chubu Area Junior Championship on his 3rd grade in junior high school. In 2015, he won against the professional in local tournament Chubu Open as a freshman in Nippon University.

He has great potential, so rest is up to the magnificent legendary caddy.