Ryo's 2 weeks restraint period was cleared yesterday on 10th, after coming back from ZOZO Championship in US last month.
"I arrived on October 27th afternoon, so I started out travelling to the course yesterday afternoon to be exact. So, I wasn't able to make in time for the practice round yesterday, which make today the only practice round I have."

Ryo's practice round style was changed after he had new coach on his team. Now he doesn't hit much during his practice round but walks around and take really good look of the course instead. Ryo took only 60 degrees wedge and his putter on his practice round today.
"If I was able to check the course on Monday and Tuesday, I would have played today. But thankfully I was able to hit shots during my restraint period, so I concentrated on my putting touches today."

Ryo has won here in 2010 and 2012. This year it will be non-spectator event, but still Taiheiyo Gotemba is one of his favorite course. He has the whole course management in his mind. So, all he did today was to see the conditions of the fairways and greens. He took time to practice the assumed hole locations for the 4 rounds, on and off the green.

"This year, I have been back and forth abroad, and have learned a lot. Especially at US Open, toughness of the course was really World's top class. I still want to challenge the US Tour, so that experience has given me a PGA standard. Taiheiyo Gotemba is known as one of the toughest course in Japan, so when I was taking a walk around today, I was referring to my caddy that few of the holes reminded me of the ones from the US Open."

"It is still too sad that the events are without the fans. We still don't know when we could have the fans back to the course, but I am glad that some of the International players are back. This is good change to have."

There are only 3 players who have done 3-peat at this Taiheyo Masters. If Ryo wins this week, he will join the prestigious group with Jumbo Ozaki (1973, 1992, 1994), Tommy Nakajima (1985, 2002, 2006) and Lee Westwood (1996, 1997, 1998).

"I have watched Lee winning 3 years in a row during my childhood. It is very tough to accomplish 3-peat, and I don't know if I could come through, but I would really like to challenge to make it come true."