Article
Mynavi ABC Championship 2018
32 years old Yuta Kinoshita grabs his first ever Victory
On the 72nd hole, Yuta missed the 1.5 meters winning birdie putt.
"I kind of got greedy. I wanted to get it over with, so I didn't make up my mind and just prayed. So, my touch was loose and I kind of pushed it."
He clenched on the 18th green, with so many regrets.
But few minutes later Yuta clenched again, but with joy.
On the 1st hole of the playoffs, Yuta darted his 2nd shot to 4 meters to the pin. Drain the eagle putt to win the playoffs.
"I wasn't completely sure, so I hit it straight. It felt like slow motion. When I saw the ball cup in, I broke down with so much relief."
Yuta refrained at his winner's interview that the playoff hole felt like a day dream.
"Couldn't grasp it as reality."
When Yuta finally got up on his feet, warm hearted competitor Masahiro Kawamura took Yuta's arm and raised it high, to show that Yuta is the Champion. Spectator gave a storm of cheers to the heroes of the exciting match.
11th year as a Pro, 32 years old Yuta fought a thrilling match with the promising 25 years old Masahiro and came through with his first ever victory.
Yuta's father said that he was too nervous to watch his son play.
On the 1st hole, easy tap-in for par almost lipped out. The ball went 360, stopped for a moment but eventually fell in the cup.
"If that didn't make it? I could have lost the tournament with that! Oh my,I am so glad that it went in! My hands were shaky all day through, but I managed to hit the shot precisely. I always playing well under pressure."
Sunday back nine was like a match play between Yuta and Masahiro. Masahiro zoomed in to 1 stroke behind with the eagle on 15th. Yuta almost made a hole-in-one on par 3 16th. Yuta seems to get concentrated when he is under pressure.
"I am a pessimist, but I didn't want people to say that I lost because I was chicken."
Yuta's father says, his son is very cautious, but never a chicken. He knows when to be aggressive. That's why he was able to make that miraculous eagle on the 73rd hole. Yuta loves golf, and he has giving everything to golf."
Winner's prize is 30 million yen. Yuta can pay back for all the support his father has given him.
"Finally, I can give back to my dad", smiled Yuta with teary eyes.