Watch out for Australia’s Andrew Evans as he eyes a flying start to the JGTO this season!

The 36-year-old is all pumped up to make a name for himself on JGTO by making the most of the full playing rights he earned for the 2022 campaign via the Tour’s Qualifying Tournament (QT) in Miyazaki last December.

Evans went from barely making it through the Third Stage of the QT to passing the gruelling contest with flying colours in the all-important Final Stage.

The Australian left it late to fire a superb seven-under-par 65 in the final round to win the 72-hole meet at the Tom Watson Golf Course on eight-under-par 280 total, one stroke clear of his closest competitor.

His decision to spend eight months in Japan last year had certainly made a whole world of difference for him.

Despite enduring a difficult start, Evans would eventually find his footing towards the end of the season.

He finished a morale-boosting tied fourth at the ABEMA TV Tour’s season-ending Delight Works JGTO Final which provide him the much-needed momentum for the QT.

“It was an absolutely satisfying campaign in (2021). I spent eight months in Japan playing a total of 14 events – seven on the main and seven on the Challenge (ABEMA),” said Evans, whose sole professional Tour victory also came last year when he won the Queensland Open in March.

“I hung around for the QT and I had to go from the Third Stage which wasn’t easy. It’s just unreal to me to win at the QT.  As the QT winner, I believe I would be able to gain access to most of the Japan tournaments in the schedule this season. I’m looking forward to the Token Homemate Cup (March 31-April 3, and I really hope to get into the Crowns (April 28-May 1) too as I have not played before.

“Obviously it will be good to play in more events and hopefully translate these opportunities into a breakthrough too!”

Evans has been plying his trade in Japan ever since he made his first QT attempt in 2017, which secured him a limited JGTO membership.

So, what prompted him to keep coming to Japan and pursue a full Tour card relentlessly?

“(The JGTO) It’s a well-run Tour and there are a lot of great courses in Japan,” said Evans.

“All the Japanese golfers are amazing, the competition there is great.  Japan is close to Australia too…it takes just a 10-hour direct flight to get here.”