The Major this week, Japan Open's leader board after the R2 ended as unprecedented surprise. 3 amateur players finished within Top 5, and the tournament leader is also an amateur, Riki Kawamoto with total 5 under Par. Following are Yuto Katsuragawa and Taiga Sugihara 1 shot behind sharing the 2T position with Hideto Tanihara and Order of Merit Champion Shugo Imahira.

Shugo commented with surprising voice, "Amateurs nowadays are no different from the professionals, technically and mentally. It is amazing."

Riki Kawamoto has elder sister who is also a professional performing in JLPGA, who is recently challenging USLPGA.
"I want to become Pro and challenge abroad just like my big sister."

Riki used to be skinny in junior days, didn't have much driving distance. But after his hard muscular training during the high school days, he has grown taller from 177cm to 183cm, his weight also gained from 60kg to 92kg, then his driving distance also got longer and longer.

His distance advantage suites this course, enables him to hit the tee shots with 3W, 2I and sometimes with 4I instead of 1W.
"My goal this week is to score 3 under every round."

He couldn't keep his goal.
"I regret my shot at 12th which ended in the water, careless mistake at 7th, and also the shot that got caught in the trees on 4th. I do have confidence in distance but must still work on my controls. I don't think I could win easily but I will go on to aim for 3 under play from tomorrow and on. Maybe it might be enough to get may hands on the winning trophy."

Taiga Sugihara at 2T and Riki are best friends since elementary school. They go to different college now, but still are great friends and looking forward to going on head to head at this Major. Another amateur, Yuto Katsuragawa also at 2T has finished 23T last year and has been awarded with Low Amateur.
"I am 1 year older than Riki and Taiga, so I want to be a step better than those 2 great players."

If, amateur wins this Major, it will be the 2nd time in tournament history, since Rokurou Akaboshi in 1927. Also, having 3 amateurs in top 5 players of the leader board is first ever since JGTO has established in 1999.

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