Defending Champion Shaun Norris has a sore throat due to screaming so much for his home country South Africa's matches for the Rugby World Cup. Shaun himself was a young rugby player, so the win by his home country was more than just a win to him.
"It was wonderful victory, but more than that, it was beautiful because the team was One as a melting pot of all human races. This is very important and meaningful for our country. This historical accomplishment gave me a lot of courage."

Shaun is also very pleased to have his family along with him for past few weeks already. His lovely wife and 1-year old baby son, and his mother Jane is right by his side. Shaun has won here at the Heiwa PGM Championship last year, his 3rd Japan Tour victory, cried at the 18th green since his father was hospitalized with serious illness.

This season, he has won his 4th victory at Top Cup Tokai Classic, which was just 3 months after his father has passed away.

His mother Jane said, "Yes, it has been very sad and felt a big loss this year. His father has been ill for very long time".
Shaun's family will stay in Japan until the end of VISA Taiheiyo Masters next week. They are all here to support and comfort Shaun, as a one wonderful teal.

2 weeks ago, Shaun was in the filed with to world's top-class players at the inaugural US PGA Tour tournament in Japan, ZOZO Championship.
"My golf is getting back to my satisfactory level. With that said, I am also gaining confidence that I could battle out amongst the world's top-class players. This venue for Heiwa PGM is my favorite course, and I can't find any reason not winning this week. I think I have a really good chance for the win this week."