Shugo Imahira decided to stay in Japan this week instead of challenging the WGC event in Shanghai, all aiming to regain his No.1 position on the Money Rankings. His goal for this season is to defend his Order of Merit Title.

His plan seems to be working very well, as he made 6 birdies and an eagle finish on the moving Saturday at MyNavi ABC Championship.

He made a birdie from his starting hole, then on to making 5 more with out any difficult moments, but Shugo recalled his play today and said, "my shots and putts were not so good as yesterday and day before. Putting was all slightly not on the line and didn't find the bottom of the holes. I couldn't make the chances on my front nine".

But soon after he made the turn with 3 under for today, he had 11-meter eagle try on Par 5 15 which ended as tap in for birdie, then on Par 2 16th, he made 7-meter birdie putt. His shot of the day came at the final hole, 525 yards Par 5 18th, as he made his 2nd shot from 190 yards out with a 6I to just 5-meters to the pin and made the eagle finish to jump up at the top of the leader board.

"That last eagle is really big. It is worth a million."
Shugo leads into the Final Round with 1 shot advantage and will go for his 2nd victory of this season.

This week, the top ranking players on the Money Rankings, such as current No.1 Chan Kim and No.3 Ryo Ishikawa are all in China for WGC HSC Champions. Currently No.2 Shugo Imahira had his chance to be in that HSBC field, but he decided to stay in Japan Tour, and aim for that 2nd season victory he is craving for.

Shugo has been facing uncomfortableness with his shots for past few weeks and he is literary adjusting his swing as he continues to play on the tour. He was within the top 10 finish including a win, for 7 consecutive tournaments, until he ended as 59th on ZOZO Championship.
"With my state of golf, I know I won't have any good results challenging the International tournaments, so I chose to stay in Japan and want to challenge to grab a victory here."
His made a wise choice.
"I really want to defend my Order of Merit Title, and in order to accomplish that, I at least need another victory. And now is the chance with top money ranking players are abroad."