Nowadays it is not even a special thing to see super amateurs make big noises on professional stage. Keita Nakajima is on a good roll for becoming 5th amateur to win at the professional tournament, following the magnificent victory by then an amateur Takumi Kanaya last year on this tournament. If Keita accomplishes, he would be the 3rd amateur to win at SMBC VISA Taiheiyo Masters following Takumi Kanaya (2019) and Hideki Matsuyama (2011).

Keita is only 1 shot behind the co-leaders and he will be in the same final group.
"My feeling has changed from just being happy to play at professional tournament and making the cut, to wanting to win."

What changed his mind? Well he saw his 2 years elder teammate Takumi Kanaya do the amazing victory right in front of him last year.
"I saw that drama right in front of me. If Takumi could do it, I thought I should have chance too. I want to be up on that same stage as him and this feeling motivated me. I also want to become like Takumi and stimulate the younger amateurs."

Supporting Keita as his caddy is Ryo Ishikawa's younger brother Wataru Ishikawa. Wataru is 1 year elder but they have been close friends since junior high school.
"Wataru reads winds and undulations perfectly. I am learning a lot from him. We discuss well but at the end Wataru respects my decisions, so it is very comfortable to play."

With this perfect pair, they have made 9 birdies. 3 in-a-row from 3rd hole and 4 in-a-row from 7th hole, which got Keita to become as a solo leader at one time.

In 2018 Asian Games, he won the Gold Medal as Individual and as a Team. He is constantly making the cutline on professional tournaments and many Pros do not consider him as an amateur.
"It is not easy not to be conscious about the victory. So, I will keep the victory in mind and play with a fight."

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