Tournament article
Japan Open Golf Championship 2020
Over 40 something but still aggressive Hideto Tanihara marks 64 and leaps to 2T
"Since most of the tournaments had been cancelled due to pandemic, I have lost the feeling of tournament strategy. But Major setting reminded me to be smart and not too aggressive on my course management."
Hideto finished at 2 over Par in cold rainy condition yesterday, but today he opened his round with 2 straight birdies on 10th and 11th. He added another back to back birdie on 14th and 15th, then made a chip in birdie on 17th to mark 5 birdies on his front nine.
The only bogey he had today was on 1st hole with regretful 3 putt. Hideto finished the round with 3-meter birdie on final 9th to score 64, jumped up to 2T on the leader board at 4 under Par.
Hideto didn't spare any time during the off period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He took the time during the "stay home" to work on his swing change.
"It gave me enough time to really work on my swing change. I think I am getting my swing back to my 30s. I am 41 years old now, but I still want to get better, drive 1 yard further. I have earned great experience in EPGA. Europe has so many great courses such as Carnoustie and St. Andrews, Kingsburn and Wentworth. If I could challenge again, I would. I heard of saying the age doesn't matter, but now I know that is true. I should challenge wherever I have the chance. The experience I earned was nothing compared to the ones I had in Japan Tour. You need both distance and short game to survive in EPGA. I want the young guns in Japan to go overseas and gain those experiences. But the funny thing is that when I am abroad, I seems to look young and I get called as boy by much younger 20 something guys. That feels pretty awkward."