It was surprising scene to watch, as Defending Champion Rikuya Hoshino made a fist pump as he made the double bogey putt on 9th.

He was undecisive either to use 1W or 3W on his tee shot.
"I was really undecisive, but I chose 1W and pushed it to way right."
That shot bounced on the tree at 150 yards and pushed it Out of Bounce.

"I made a big mistake, which a Defending Champion should never do."
His chose 3W for his 3rd shot, but this time it went way left into the deep roughs.

His 4th shot from the deep roughs on down hill slope wouldn't get up, and it plunged within 20 yards. He had to go around the tree trunk in front of him on his 5th shot, which flew 130 yards and got to 2.5-meter to the pin.

"I had miss same length putt on 8th, so I didn't feel comfortable. But I just told myself, please don't end up with triple bogey."
As the ball went in, Rikuya made a fist pump.

"I never made a fist pump on a double bogey in my life. I am glad that this big mistake happened on 2R. I still have 2 more rounds to make it up."

Rikuya holed our 2 shot behind the leaders. 2R also became suspended, and at this moment Rikuya sits provisionally at 7T with 3 under. He left him a chance to challenge for a record. If he defends his title, which will be since Ryo Ishikawa in 2010. Rikuya also be making his 3rd victory at Fuji Sankei, (past wins 2018, 2020), and that will also be second best record following Jumbo Ozaki's 6 wins at this tournament.

Rikuya is known for being gear nerd, he has clubs which differ only few millimeters and milligrams. This week he has brought 3 different 1Ws.
"First one is 1W which I used last year to win, second one is the 1W I used to win the Kansai Open this year, and the third one is the 1W that I used winning Diamond Cup. I am wondering which 1W would suite me now. Eventually, I chose the one that I used to win here last year."

Rikuya has already won 3 times this season, and he has many great memories to rely on.