Kanaya takes top honour at season-opening Token Homemate Cup

Takumi Kanaya secured his sixth JGTO title by emerging victorious at the Token Homemate Cup for the second time on Sunday.

The 25-year-old posted a final-round six-under-par 65 to conclude the tournament with a winning 72-hole record of 23-under 261, edging out second-placed Tatsunori Shogenji by two shots.

Kanaya had earlier put himself in the driver's seat in the morning at the 54-hole mark, birdieing four of his eight remaining holes to card a bogey-free third-round 64 to claim a one-shot lead over Taihei Sato.

With his confidence soaring, Kanaya continued his impressive form, birdieing four times in his opening five holes to distance himself from the chasing pack.

He further solidified his lead by picking up another shot on the eighth hole before putting the result beyond doubt with two more birdies on the 14th and 17th.

Although Kanaya eventually conceded a bogey, his first in 38 holes, it was still sufficient for him to reclaim the title he last won in 2021, finishing with a two-shot cushion.

"I made several changes to my swing during the offseason, and I’m really pleased it paid off this week. Looking ahead, I hope to maintain this consistency. My goal is to be in contention every week, and not just for one week.

“I hope to be able to compete on the DP World Tour soon. This win will set me up for this opportunity and I’m particularly focused on the next ISPS Handa Championship, which I hope to replicate my winning performance.

“It’s so good to see Keita Nakajima doing well in India this week and whatever result he achieves, it will be a great motivation for all of us,” said Kanaya.

It was certainly a day to cherish for Shogenji as well, closing with a 65 to achieve a career-best solo runner-up finish on the circuit.

Sato settled for third place alone at 19-under following a 68, while 2018 champion Atomu Shigenaga (64), Taisei Shimizu (67), and amateur Rintaro Nakano (67) were tied for fourth at 266.

American duo Todd Baek and Shintaro Ban shot 67 and 66, respectively, finishing as the top international performers of the week with matching 271s.

Leading final round scores:

261: Takumi Kanaya 67-65-64-65;

263: Tatsunori Shogenji 66-68-64-65;

265: Taisei Sato 66-64-67-68;

266: Atomu Shigenaga 71-62-69-64, Taisei Shimizu 69-63-67-67, Rintaro Nakano (am) 61-69-69-67;

268: Tomoyo Ikemura 67-65-66-70;

269: Yuta Sugiura 67-71-69-62, Jinichiro Kozuma 69-67-68-65, Sejung Hiramoto 71-64-65-69, Yuto Katsuragawa 65-69-67-68, Ryo Katsumata 67-67-69-66, Kenya Nakayama 65-67-70-67, Terumichi Kakazu 65-65-71-68.

Ends.