Casio World Open is the last game of the Regular Tour schedule. Order of Merit race and players on the bubble for the next season's seed are on the line this week. In this tense atmosphere, 47 years old Katsumasa Miyamoto took the leader's position after Round 1.

It was raining heavily until little past noon.
"I was lucky that weather started to get better."
As Kastumasa said, on his last few holes, bright sunset was seen along the ocean side of the course.

"It stopped raining on my back nine, so it was much easier to play."
His score got better along with the weather. He made 1-meter on 3rd, then went on to make 2.5 meter and 3 meter on the next 2 holes to make 3 straight birdies. He also made a tap in birdie on 7th and finished the round by making a 5-meter on 9th.

"I have a really sore throat and can't speak."
He had a mask on for the whole day. But regardless of his illness he marked 66 to become solo leader y 1 shot against the field. It has been 7 years since the last time he finished as a leader on after the Round 1.

"I am only 2 years and 9 months away from going to Senior Tours. I am constantly thinking about it. I am counting down the days on my calendar."

Kastumasa has won at Chunichi Crowns in May, it was the first victory of new Reiwa Era. With that victory he holds 2 years seed. Next week he will be in the prestigious field of JT Cup, which he missed last year. Kastumasa is still one of the strongest player on the Regular Tour, but he knows the time is clicking.
"Toru Taniguchi and Hiroyuki Fujita are both doing so well on both of the tours. I wish I could be as good as them and keep playing competitively on the Regular Tour after I turn 50 years old. But I have been thinking about Senior Tour since I turned 45."

Kastumasa is in the good position to achieve his 2nd season victory but his state of mind is very calm and conservative. He is foreseeing his future and preparing well for the Senior Tour days which is coming in 3 more years.