Tournament article

Golf Nippon Series JT Cup 2021

Congratulations! Chan Kim is crowned as Order of Merit Champion of prolonged 2021-22 season

Ryosuke Kinoshita finished as 26T, and Yuki Inamori at 8T. Rikuya Hoshino who started out as 4T ended as 6th, and Takumi Kanaya who fought really hard until the very end finished as 3rd.

 

Chan Kim finished as 22T at 2 over, waited impatiently and couldn't stand watching the battle that would decide his fate.

"My mental was pressed down with pressure and I couldn't perform as I wished. I was so concerned about how other players were doing."

 

Chan didn't have the courage to see the other players will do on the 18th green, so he escaped to near the club house. While he was walking around, people started to gather and congratulated him.

 

"Now I could finally relax and rest."

Chan was finally released from huge pressure.

 

5 players were the final nominees for the Order of Merit race coming into the season ending event. At the end No.1 Money Ranker Chan Kim was able to run away with the honor, even though he couldn't defend his tournament champion title.

"I had 2 chanced before and couldn't make it happen. Finally, this year I was able to accomplish and I am really relieved."

 

At the ceremony, he was so happy that he reacted with so many expressions. He was literary jumping around and expressed his joy with his body language and big smiles.

 

Chan had to move away from the No.1 spot on the Driving Distance, which he kept for 2016, 2017, 2019 and gave it away to Takahiro Hataji

"I am placing more weight on accuracy then distance now"

This decision is one of the cause which gave the honorary Order of Merit Champion title, a second international player to achieve following David Ishii.

 

"When I first started to learn golf in Hawaii, I was told by David that I should start my career from Japan Tour. I am honored that I was able to follow his footsteps. This means really special to me."

Unfortunately, for pandemic reasons, his parents couldn't come to the course see him play.

"I know that they are already calling me to congratulate. I will call back as soon as I could."

 

Chan was one of the first player to come back to the Japan Tour during the pandemic restriction period. He rejoined from last year's SMBC VISA Taiheiyo Masters and won 3 times in this prolonged season to achieve his title. He suffered serious injuries but now with his new diet, he is fit and more powerful.

"I will continue this diet. Even today, I will congratulate myself with just a cup of coffee."