The 3rd Round of the Heiwa PGM Championship was cancelled due to the bad weather. It was like a hurricane wind and rain from the morning. First Tee times were 1 hour delayed. Shinji and Masaru Takahashi decided to do some stretch work in the locker room, that was when the Day 3 was announced cancel.

Shinji stands at tied-8th, top amongst the hometown Okinawa players.
"I wish I could have played today, but with this rain, I guess there is no choice."

Shinji was raised near the Naha district of Okinawa Prefecture, but he learned his golf near this tournament course. His hometown cheering troop gathered from Day 1.
"It really felt good to play in front of hometown fans."

Shinji has lost his Tour Card in 2015. He is eager to get it back. This week he entered the tournament with sponsor's special quota.
"I heard Heiwa has so many workers from Okinawa, that is the reason, Heiwa favors Okinawa and Okinawa grown players."

Shinji feels the only way to give back is to play well.
"I know my golf is good now, I am aiming dead to the pin. Even it gets shortened to 54 holes, I will be aggressive."

Other Okinawa grown players are doing well too. Terumichi Kakazu is at 3 under tied at 25th, Kazuki Higa is at 6 under tied at 11th.

"Kazuki is from my college, and I know Terumichi from junior days. I hope the team Okinawa could make this tournament exciting."

Shinji says Okinawa people are gentle and slow tempo, but they hate to lose. So, the rivalry between the Okinawa players will heat up. The 3rd Round Tee Off will start on Sunday at 8:30am local time.

•