Championship Rewind: Hirata fights back to become youngest-ever winner of Japan PGA Championship

The Japan PGA Championship tees off at the Fuji Country Kani Club on Thursday where a strong 144-man field, featuring the likes of local heavyweights JGTO winners Ryo Ishikawa, Kazuki Higa, alongside internationals, Shaun Norris, Brad Kennedy and Michael Hendry battle for the lucrative ¥150,000,000 prize money. 

Kensei Hirata, who became the youngest-ever of the Japan PGA Championship last year, will be back to defend his title and is expected to be amongst one of the contenders again. The 23-year-old has yet to miss the cut all season and has enjoyed two top-10s in his last nine starts. 

Reflections of 2023 final round
Drama on championship Sunday was at its highest as Osaka-born Hirata had to weather a mid-round meltdown before shooting a final round one-under-par 71 to secure a two-shot wire-to-wire victory.

Having started the day a shot clear of Kunihiro Kamii, Hirata quickly extended his lead to two by birdieing his very first hole at the Eniwa Country Club.

However, by the end of the first nine holes, Hirata found himself two shots behind his playing partner, Kamii. This came after Kamii unexpectedly dropped three shots in four shots from the sixth hole.

But Hirata recovered brilliantly with birdies on holes number 12, 14, 15, and 17 to restore his three-shot advantage.

He could even afford a bogey on the final hole to sign off two shots ahead of Taiga Semikawa and Takumi Kanaya, with his winning four-day total of 11-under-par 277.

With that win, Hirata has become the youngest-ever winner of the Japan PGA Championship since the JGTO was founded in 1973 - at 22 years, eight months, and four days. He surpassed South Korea's S.H. Kim's record, who won the 2021 edition at 22 years, nine months, and 17 days.

"I've been playing well since the first day, and achieving my second win of the year has brought immense joy. This victory is extra special as it's in a major tournament," said Hirata in his victory speech.

"I had a good start on the first hole, but the continuous pars and not having a good touch, such as having six consecutive three-putts, were tough. However, I was able to recover in the second half, so I kept playing without giving up today."

Asked what inspired the fightback, he said: "Nothing changed, but I did feel a shift in my mindset to get back to double digits after the birdie on the 12th hole.

"I realised I was back leading at the start of the 15th hole, but there were still tough holes to come, so I was thinking of extending my lead to win. I'm so glad that everything turned out well."

Ends.