Onishi out to conquer Fujisankei Classic again at scenic Fujizakura Country Club

The JGTO action resumes this week at the Fujisankei Classic with stars congregating at the picturesque Fujizakura Country Club in Yamanashi Prefecture.

The tournament, now in its 51st edition, is the 15^th stop of the JGTO season.

The Fujikara Country Club, situated 1,000 meters up near Mount Fuji's base, provides stunning views of the mountain from most holes. It is also regarded as one of the best tournament courses in Japan.

Even though the fairways are wide, the short rough is tricky. The greens are especially challenging and test every golfer's skills.

It is therefore not surprising the winning score once reached a mere three-under-par- as was the case when South Korea's Ryu Hyun-woo clinched the 2017 edition, beating American Han Seungsu and Satoshi Kodaira in a three-way playoff.

Last year's championship was also determined through a playoff, with Kaito Onishi edging out South Korea's Park Sang-hyun- preventing him from claiming a second title after his 2019 victory.

Fans will undoubtedly be excited to see Onishi in action for the first time this season as he returns from the United States to defend his title. Currently, Onishi is trying to qualify for the PGA Tour via its feeder circuit, the Korn Ferry Tour.

The talented young Onishi, at just 24, was a standout performer on the JGTO last season, finishing 13th on the money list with one victory and eight top-10 finishes.

It will be interesting to see how Onishi and Yuto Katsuragawa, who's also competing on the KFT, measure up against other JGTO under-25 stars like Keita Nakajima, Takumi Kanaya, Taiga Semikawa, and Kensei Hirata this time.

The other past champions making up the 120-man field include Shugo Imahira (2021), Park, Ryu Hyun-woo (2017), Hiroshi Iwata (2014), Ryo Ishikawa (2009, 2010), Toyokazu Fujishima (2008) and Shingo Katayama (2006).

Other past champions in the strong field include Shugo Imahira (2021), Park, Ryu Hyun-woo (2017), Hiroshi Iwata (2014), Ryo Ishikawa (2009, 2010), Toyokazu Fujishima (2008), and Shingo Katayama (2006).

Newly-crowned Sansan KBC Augusta champion, Song Young-han, will lead the international charge as he seeks back-to-back victories, a feat not accomplished by any player this year.

Other notable foreign participants include Shaun Norris of South Africa, Juvic Pagunsan and Justin De Los Santos from the Philippines, the Australian trio of Brad Kennedy, Anthony Quayle, and Brendan Jones, and the American Han Lee.

Ends.