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Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters 2020
Tomoharu Otsuki comes through the struggling day to end on the Top of the Day 1 leader board
"It has been a while since my last tournament, so I was very nervous, not confident if I could play well enough", said Tomoharu.
He did stumble on his second hole 11th, as he got caught in the green side bunker and failed to get it up and down to end with a bogey.
His confidence was declining, until he made a 10-meter birdie putt on 13th. He also saved the day by making a water shot on the 18th to save Par. After he made the turn, he was on the roll. He made another 10-meter on 1st, then a 15-meter eagle putt on 3rd.
On his last hole of the day 9th, his second shot from 144 yards with 9I sticked to 30cm to the pin, and ended with a tap-in birdie to rise up to the Top of the leader board with 4 under Par.
"During my off weeks due to the pandemic, I played 3 to 4 times on the course, which is much more than that I do on my off season."
Tomoharu is well built, but says he hates cold weather.
"I really hate freezing winter. I wanted to put on the heat pads all over my body today, but I didn't treat myself just yet. If I use the heat pads now, I won't be able to stand the freezing weather at JT in December."
Tomoharu has made his way into the JT as he ranks 13th on Money Ranking from the results after 3 tournaments this season. Also, it was announced that the winner of this tournament will be granted with an invitation to the US PGA Tour Sony Open in January 2021.
"I wish to grab that ticket, but as for now, I want to do well tomorrow and make the cutline safely."