Kinoshita happy to be back on familiar winning ground for Vantelin Tokai Classic 

It is a happy return to the Myoshi Country Club for Yuta Kinoshita as he finds myself back on familiar winning ground as the defending champion of this week’s Vantelin Tokai Classic.
 
Just 12 months ago, the 38-year-old ended his five-year title drought when he captured his second JGTO event by one-shot over Rikuya Hoshino.
 
Since that win, Kinoshita has not lit up his 2024 season as he had expected, making the cut only six times in 15 starts and having his tied-26^th finish at last week’s Panasonic Open Golf Championship as his best result so far. 
 
However, he hopes to turn the corner with another commanding performance, hoping to use his course familiarity to his advantage.
 
"It feels great to be back. I love this course, and I really want to play well again. I’ve had a few rough weeks missing cuts, but last week, I finally felt like I was getting back into form. This week, I was hoping to continue that momentum."
 
“I’ve played here about five times and finished in the top 10 three times, so I have good memories of this course. My goal is to get into the top 10, and from there, try to win again. I’ll focus on playing steady, resilient golf and see how far it takes me," said Kinoshita.
 
114 players including nine amateurs will challenge for top honours at the ¥100,000,000 tournament with the winner’s prize cheque worth ¥22,000,000.
 
All eyes will also be on Kensei Hirata, who became the third youngest player at the age of 23 years and 301 days to win four times in a season last week. Hirata currently leads the JGTO money ranking too, and is one of the favourites to contend again this week.
 
Ends.