Former World's No.1 Amateur, and now a big rising star, Takumi Kanaya is learning very fast.
"This is my first year as a pro, so most of the courses are first time for me. So, it takes a while for me to adjust to the touch on yardages and feeling on the courses. I cannot get adapted to the course on my 1st round."

But Takumi Kanaya always find his way to adjust to the course very fast and moves up on the leader board by 2nd Round.
"I get the chance to know the course, so by the final round, I will gain confidence to play well."

As he stated, he scored 68 on 1st Round to finish at 12T and moved up with 66 to 2T after 2nd Round.

After he made the turn 2 birdies on his front nine, he went on to make 3 in-a-row from 11th to total to 8 under. On 16 and 17, he made a great shot from the sand to save par, and he finished with a bogey free round.

Takumi admires his senior from college, Hideki Mtasuyama, who has won here at Dunlop Phoenix as the host pro in 2014.
"I am of course aiming to win. I am satisfied to be in good position after the 2nd Round. I would like to gain as many birdies as possible on weekends and grab that victory."

Last week at SMBC VISA Taiheiyo Masters, amateur Keita Nakajima finished at 3rd. This week too, many amateurs are doing so well amongst the Pros.
"I don't consider them as amateurs, I have played along with them in college and I know that many have talents no different from professionals. These amateurs are breaking down barriers between amateur and professional. It is just simple; the best player wins."

This season, Takumi participated Fuji Sankei Classic as an amateur and finished at 5T, then after turning Pro, he finished a solo 7th, then 5T last week. He hasn't won yet, but that day seems to be getting closer and closer.