As World's No.1 Amateur Takumi Kanaya turns to Pro, other powerful amateurs are following right after his footsteps. 8 amateurs finished in Top 20s after R1 of the Japan Open, two of them, Yuto Katsuragawa and Riki Kawamoto ended at 2T today.

"Takumi is way over the clouds", says Riki Kawamoto, but his performance today was indeed over the clouds himself.

He quoted "I don't feel that the course plays that long", nevertheless the course length over 7300 yards, as he could drive over 320 yards easily.

On 495 yards Par 4 12th, he blasted his 1W and had only 157 yards left to play. He shot his 2nd with 9I and made 1-meter birdie putt easily.
"This course has wide fairways, but with thick and nasty rough, so the tee shots really matter."

He chose 2I for his tee shot on 415 yards Par 4 1st and left himself with only 140 yards to play by 48 degrees wedge.

"My goal is to play 3 under every day. I am so glad that I got off with a great start."

Riki's elder sister is JLPGA professional Yui Kawamoto, who was challenging the US LPGA tournament and just came back 2 night ago.
"Sister called me and said she lost her keys to the house, told me to bring them to her. But I told her that I am at the tournament. She said she will call the lock smith, but for me she did say good luck but that was it."

Riki seems to be affected well by his siter as Yui is targeting her goal to play on US LPGA Tour.
"When I saw Yui finish at 4T on USLPGA tournament, I got stimulated. I increased my daily practice from 300 shots to 500. I am thinking about turning to Pro next year but haven't decided to challenge for Japan QT or US Q School. If Yui will be in USLPGA, I will have the means for living abroad so it's up to how she does. I hope I could keep my goal and shoot 3 under tomorrow, I will have the chance for the win. I wish I could stay concentrated and keep my good game going."

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