Tournament article

Mynavi ABC Championship Golf Tournament 2019

Double "Yuta" in the same groupings for the first 2 Rounds at Mynavi ABC Championship

Big Yuta as Ikeda and Tiny Yuta as Kinoshita, there are known to be Double Yuta on the Japan Tour. Tiny Yuta, is the Defending Champion of this tournament but he is nervous wreck to play the first 2 rounds with his "Big" brotherly figure Yuta Ikeda.
"I am nervous, I am nervous still at this moment", says Tiny Yuta.

"For my generations, Yuta Ikeda is the top player, and that will not change no matter what happens."

Big and Tiny Yuta's are both from same Chiba Prefecture and they have been practicing in same golf ranges. In order to differentiate between 2 Yuta, this nickname was given. Big Yuta was always few steps ahead of the same age group, and that was the same after he became Pro in 2007. Yuta Ikeda has won 21 victories and has became Order of Merit Champion in 2016.

On the other hand, Tiny Yuta has won his first ever tournament at the age of 32 last year at this same tournament. He was chosen to be in featured groupings, but that made him nervous wreck already.
"I hope this nervous feeling will turn out to give me concentrations and play well."

Tiny Yuta had the tickets for last week's ZOZO Championship but couldn't go since the Saturday became "lockout for fans". He could have chosen to change the tickets to Sundays, but he didn't want to be late for his next task, to teach golf lessons to the local Hyogo Prefecture elementary students as Defending Champion of the Mynavi ABC Championship. So, he decided to watch the great battle between Tiger and Hideki on TV.
"We all know how great Tiger is, not so surprise to see him make the victory No.82. I was amazed to see Hideki battle out with Tiger. I mean it was awesome! I got goosebumps watching Hideki fight so hard."

As for Tiny Yuta himself seemed got lost by changing his swing and clubs too much during the off season.
"I did so many changes and got lost. It was like couldn't find my way back home, but I am gradually getting closer to finding the correct path."

He sits at 92nd on the Money Rankings, but to live up to his status as the Defending Champion, his goal now is to have tough competition with Big Yuta this week.