It was a friendly course for Yuwa Kosaihira, but he was under pretty big pressure today.
"I was nervous, I guess. My shots were going everywhere and didn't feel like myself. I just tried not to fall apart."

As he said, he managed to score all Par for his first 9 holes. Then on his back nine, he made a 7-meter on 2nd to grab his first birdie and seemed to have caught a breath.
"Greens on this course has several spots you would never want to end up according to where the holes are cut. I chose to place the ball in wider and safer spots."

That course management worked and gave him 3 birdies on his back nine. Yuwa belongs to the venue course, Taiheiyo Gotemba and he had the privilege to practice here last week. His daily routine started off with the running 3km from his accommodation to the course, then went on to the practice range until lunch. After all of the guests started off around 1PM, he went on his practice round.

"I am very grateful to have this kind of support from the course, even under the hardship of pandemic. So, when I started off today, I had lots of pressure on me. I must do well to give back to the support given to me, and I really wanted to make a good score to show my gratitude."

So, as Yuwa finished with 1 under Par score and 8T finish, staff of the course congratulated him with a big smile.

Yuwa has been challenging the US Korn Ferry Tour (minor tour). Even under the COVID-19 pandemic circumstances, he has been flying back and forth.
"I think this experience has made me tougher both physically and mentally."

Yuwa is 1 day older than Takumi Kanaya, who won last year as an amateur, 4th player ever to do so on professional tournament.
"I felt like I was left behind, so I practiced a lot."

Yuwa kept practicing on the putting green until the sundown today.
"I want to win too and catch up to Takumi."