44 years old professional with 3 career victories is getting on a good path towards his comeback. He has been playing well on his 1st Rounds for 2 weeks in a row, both with 66 on his scorecard. He seriously injured his back with lumber vertebrae herniated disk and surgery on his right elbow. He has lost his tour card in 2017, and it took him 4 years to perform his best score at Japan Golf Tour Championship on his 15th challenge.

"I feel that today's 66 is more realistic from the other 66 on last week. This score is giving me hopes toward weekends."

Azuma earned his tour card by finishing top at the QT Finals. He finished 16T at opening event Token Homemate Cup, but after that he missed the cut for 4 tournaments in a row.

"I have been working hard on my swing changes but didn't take much care on the course managements."
As Azuma stated, that change of mind worked and his course management paid off to give him 3T position on the 1st Round at Mizuno Open last week. He did manage to make the cutline, but his result was 65T.

"Last week's 66 was just lucky. I am not saying that everything was just luck, but still I was on a thin line. Just getting through with few nice shots. I went to see my coach on Monday and made few changes. I think I am getting my desirable swing now."

Azuma displayed his good performance on 14th as he made a chip-in from the bunker.
"After that chip-in I was able to play so well from 15th to the end."

Azuma seems have gotten out of the painful woods and began his positive journey towards his comeback.