Yusaku Miyazato has return from globe trotting tours among 22 countries, now back to home country Japan. Yusaku, who has been challenging the EPGA Tour, made a great start on his Round 1 at SMBC VISA Taiheiyo Masters, sharing the leader position with Sang-Hyun Park and Brendan Jones at 5 under.

Mt. Fuji's beautiful landscape on his back, Yusaku answered the interviews surrounded by the fans.
"I am very grateful for all of these cheers and applauses, since I am a total stranger to the spectators in EPGA", smiled Yusaku.

He came back to Japan 2 weeks ago, and has played at Heiwa PGM Championship, but failed to make the cutline.
"It felt like playing golf pass midnight, I had difficulties on adjusting the time differences."

But he seems to be in good condition this week and done a great round of golf, especially his putter, no matter how strong the wind was blowing down on the course. He went out from 10th and made a 7-meter birdie start. On long 505 yards Par 4 11th, he was hitting against the downwind, but made his 230 yards 2nd shot with 3W to just 1-meter to the pin and made 2 straight birdies. He went on to make another 6 to 7-meters on 13 and 17. His eagle try on 18th was also very close.

Yusaku did suffer with tee shots on his back nine, but thanks to his 5 birdies on front half, he was able to finish the day with bogey free 65.
"It's been a while since I made 5 under."

His 2nd year on EPGA was more than bitter.
"I don't really want to think about my age, but I am 39. I suffered back ache in May and travelling in that situation was very difficult. I was hard and miserable days."
As he recalled, he missed the cut 11 tournaments on a row. His Money Rankings is at 165 and couldn't obtains the seed.
"But there are so many types of courses in the world, and I have faced plenty of new tasks. If I could battle well there, I could say I have succeeded. I would like to keep challenging the world."

2017 Order of Merit Champion is back in Japan Tour for next season, but he is also planning to challenge the Asian Tour QT and will keep on seeking the way to challenge the world.

Now he is back in Japan, he hasn't won here yet, but have scored a course record 63 at 2000, in his college days. He also finished 2 shots behind the leader in 2001 as a amateur.
"I will try for another birdie charge tomorrow."