Tournament article
Dunlop Phoenix Tournament 2019
Daijiro Izumida jumps up to 3T with 7 under play on moving Saturday at Phoenix CC
26 years old Daijiro is fighting through his 9th year on the Tour, he took a great advantage by putting the weather factor on his side. After making the turn with 2 under, his 2nd shot on 12th by 5I almost holed in, from there he went on to make 3 straight birdies.
It was sunny today, but the wind was blowing strong all day long.
"I was able to read the wind factor very well today. My shots were all over the pin and mu putts were on the line."
Daijiro spent his amateur days at Phoenix CC Golf Academy after he graduated from high school. He was literary lived on the course, at the dormitory for a year, which gave him the advantage to know every part of the course.
Every year, big names from abroad makes appearance here at Dunlop Phoenix and Daijiro has been here to watch, including the time that Tiger came to win 2 years in a row.
"Miyazaki Prefecture offers so many wonderful things and you need more than a week to enjoy it all. Food are great and I have so many good memories too."
On today's round, his golf wear was same as Rikuya Hoshino, as they are both Srixon sponsored players. Daijiro has been the fan of Srixon since his junior days and has made contract with the maker since his debut but a "disappointing mistake" happened last year.
Daijiro is 183cm tall and is very fit with muscular body. So, wearing the same Srixon shirt and sunglasses on, he looks very much like Hideki Matsuyama.
"A fan came up to me and mistaken me with Hideki. Asked me for an autograph, but when I told her that I am Daijiro Izumida, she ran away. I wished that she would also ask for my autograph too. That was very sad incident."
Nowadays, many fans recognize him, but Daijiro feels it not enough. He has won his first victory at RIZAP KBC Augusta last year but hasn't been able to add another yet.
"I hope I could give back to Srixon by winning this week."