Nakajima overcomes error-prone back-nine to lead

Keita Nakajima snatched the outright first round lead with an opening five-under-par 65 to lead by one shot at the season-ending Golf Nippon Series JT Cup on Thursday.
 
Taichi Nabetani’s late bogey on 18 cost him a share of the lead with Nakajima as he settled for a share of second place with Naoyuki Kataoka and Takahiro Hataji after the trio signed for matching 66s at the Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club.
 
South Africa’s Shaun Norris posted a 67 to take fifth place on his own at the no-cut event where the winner stands to win JPY 40,000,000.
 
Nakajima, who won the money ranking title last year, made a fast start with five birdies for an outward 30. However, he dropped three shots in five holes after the turn, slipping to two-under with four holes to play.
 
The 24-year-old staged a remarkable comeback by firing three birdies in a row starting from the par-three 15 before closing with a par for a 65.
 
Reflecting on his opening round Nakajima said: “I had a great front-nine but executed so many poor shots in my back-nine which showed with my three bogeys on 11, 13 and 14. 
 
“I did not want to dwell too much on those mistakes and managed to switch my focus well to bounce back.”
 
Nakajima, who often displays a serious demeanour on course, broke into a laugh when asked about that and said he is looking to adopt a friendlier outlook as he looks to end his season on a high note this week.
 
“People often tell me that my demeanour has become brighter recently. I’ve stopped getting flustered and started enjoying conversations and playing more relaxed. But the goal to win remains. Everyone who plays this tournament wants to win and I’m no exception. I’ll give everything to achieve that,” said the former world amateur No. 1.
 
Nakajima will start his second round at 10:30 am on Friday where he tees off alongside  Kataoka and Nabetani.
 
Leading first round scores
All Japanese nationals unless indicated otherwise
 
65- Keita Nakajima
66 – Taichi Nabetani, Naoyuki Kataoka, Takahiro Hataji
67 – Shaun Norris
68 – Taiga Semikawa, Taihei Sato
69 – Taiki Yoshida, Riki Kawamoto, Kota Kaneko, Taisei Shimizu
 
Ends