Yuwa Kosaihira, a 21 years old on his 3rd year as a Pro, has became the newest member of the SMBC VISA Taiheiyo Masters' hosting professional. He has made a good start on his Round 1 making his effort on doing several practice rounds in summer worthwhile.

The strong wind was blowing down from Mt. Fuji today and making the already difficult course into much harder conditions, but Yuwa managed to come through with 5 birdies and 3 bogeys to score 68. Finished at 2 under, 7T.

"My putts went in so many times today."
He drained a 16-meter putt on 5th, and he also made 10-meter on 7th for birdie. On his last 9th, he made the 1-meter clutch putt to finish with a birdie and made his tournament sponsors very happy.

Yuwa is from Osaka, and his father taught him golf at very young age. He has won several times as Junior and became Pro in December of his Senior year in High School. He had so many expectations on his shoulders, but until now he hasn't been able to obtain seed.

"I overestimated myself that I was great at putting. I was not even close to the professional level."

As soon as Yuwa received the Sponsor Invitation to this tournament, he came to practice repeatedly.
"I practiced putting here for so many times, got uses to making the right touch."

Yuwa asked Toru Taniguchi to share the practice round with him.
Toru told Yuwa that "You are good, but you are very poor on course management."

But he had only few hours to tackle that problem, so he went to get help from veteran caddy, who has been caddying for Massy Kuramoto. With that mighty support, Yuwa was able to make a good start.

"I haves seen the chip in made by Tiger Woods on 18th, at 2001 World Cup on Instagram so many times. I also was excited when I saw Hideki Matsuyama win as an amateur in 2011. I saw it on TV, and I wish I could win like he did by making a dramatic eagle on the Final Hole."

Yuwa says he was very nervous on his first round as a Hosting Pro today, but he will pursue his dream to win as his admiring heroes has done.