"Top Cup Tokai Classis" is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this week, and two 20 something young guns became the co-leaders after Round 1.

26 years old Mikumu Horikawa has won his first victory at June's Major tournament JGTC Mori Building Cup Shishido Hills and has earned 5 years exemption. 24 years old Kazuki Higa has won his first at August's RIZAP KBC Augusta. Now these two are looking for their 2nd victory at the well-known tough course, the Miyoshi CC.

For Mikumu Horikawa, today's 67 was "probably my best golf at Miyoshi CC". Actually, he has scored better on Round 3 in 2016, but it felt much harder today with the strong wind harming players games. He started out from 10th, where he barely made 2-meter to save his par. He bogeyed the 11th but bounced back with a birdie on 12th. He closed his round with a 3-meter birdie on 9th and eventually made 5 birdies and a bogey to score 4 under par.
"I was able to end well and score a good round."

This year has been exciting for Mikumu as after he won his first victory, he gained the chance to challenge his first ever Major tournaments, US Open and British Open.
"So many amazing things happened in a such a short period. I was really excited then. I get my first win and then the chance to go to the Majors. But now I am back on concentrating to win one more this season."

Now, Mikumu sits at 9th on the Money Rankings. Kazuki Higa who shares the co-leader spot is at 13th on the Money list. Both are eager to be in the prestigious field of US PGA co-sanctioned ZOZO Championship. In order to do so, they must be within top 7 of the Money Rankings after the Bridgestone Open next week.

So, it is same for Kazuki Higa that he needs another win ASAP. Kazuki has played at Miyoshi CC in his amateur days in 2011, but it is his first try as a pro.
"I really had difficult time here then, and have terrible memory, but I still don't think I really understand the fear of MIiyoshi, and that might be the lucky break for me. If I don't know it, I can play without fear."
Would that tactics work? Let's see who will be the 50th Champion on Sunday afternoon.