On R3 groupings, Rikuya Hoshino current No.4 of the Money Rankings and has the chance to become the Order of Merit Champion if he succeeds in winning this week, will be placed in between leader 41 years old Yusaku Miyazato and 3T 43 years old Hideto Tanihara.

"Wow, old men are doing great! Won't be beaten by the young guns? I'm not that optimistic", said Hideto.

Hideto started out at 5 under on pursuit to make his 2nd victory of the season.

"To be honest, I don't have any emotional leeway. I am just trying to keep up."

He sounded pessimistic because he has been having trouble with his shots.

"My mental state is like, please hit the club correctly. Yesterday was worst. Today was better than worst. I hope tomorrow will be much better than worst."

Hideto has record of 5 top 10 finishes at JT Cup, but he says "I don't have good memories here. So, I hope I could make a good one this week."

In November, just 2 days before his birthday, he won the SMBC VISA Taiheiyo Masters, a victory he was away for 5 years and added up his Tour victories to 15. With that win, he made himself into this week's JT Cup, which is 2 years in a row and 13th appearance for him.

"Since there are only 30 players in the field, that means I have 1/30 of the chance to win. Mathematically that is high percentage but being in the field with most talented 30 players of the season, it's a different story. There is good chance but so hard to make it happen."

Hideto was talking as if he had no spare time for anyone else but his game. But actually, he was paying attention to the performance of World No.1 amateur Keita Nakajima in his group.

"I am always thinking of the places I should avoid and playing smart. Keita isn't there yet. So, I will go up to him later secretly and give him some tips."

Hideto is known to take really good care of younger players, and that doesn't change even he is at the dead heat battle at the season ending event.