Shugo Imahira drained a 50-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win his 10th domestic title, and first major, by one stroke from Ryosuke Kinoshita at the Japan Open golf championship on Sunday.
Starting the day one shot back from co-leaders Kinoshita and Tomoyo Ikemura, the 32-year-old Imahira carded five birdies against three bogeys for a 2-under 68 in the fourth round at Tokyo Golf Club in Sayama in his native Saitama Prefecture, to finish at 4-under 276 for the tournament.
Japan Open champion Shugo Imahira holds the winner’s trophy following his victory at Tokyo Golf Club in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, on Oct. 13, 2024. (Kyodo)
He teed off neck-and-neck with Kinoshita on the par-4 18th before putting himself in contention for the outright lead with a strong approach from the fairway.
Still faced with an arduous putt, Imahira read the green perfectly to throw down the gauntlet to Kinoshita, who could only respond with par after finding the edge of the rough on his second shot.
Yuki Inamori, a two-time Japan Open champion, finished third at even-par for the 72 holes.
“I’m happy to achieve my 10th victory at the Japan Open and do it on my home turf as well,” said Imahira, who took home the 42 million yen ($280,000) first prize. “I thought I would have to be in a playoff with par (on the final hole), but I was thrilled to make birdie.”
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