Hideto has been away on international tours, so it has been 3 years since he last played at JT Cup. This is his 12th time to be in this prestigious field and he knows how to handle this tough course.
"If you can hit straight, only worries will be the tough greens."

Well known hard slick and undulated 18th green, where many drama has occurred, Hideto managed to live through it with great short game to save par. He also gained 8 birdies today.
"It was not so windy, very calm weather."

Hideto finished his R1 with 5 under 65, one shot behind the leader at solo 2nd.
"Great performances are played out, but silence. This is very sad."

It has been 6th tournament since the season re-started at September, but still no spectators are allowed.
"I have to motivate myself. It is like a practice round without the crowd. We are lacking so much."

From 2017, Hideto has been challenging EPGA Tour, but came back to fight again on his home ground. Usually, JT Cup welcomes so many fans.
"Final Round gathers so many fans. That atmosphere gives us lots of pressure. I really get nervous on at 1st tee. But this year we don't have that. So, in a way there is not much of pressure on us, I think. It really feels different. I really miss the fans. It is totally different feeling to play in front of the crowd. It gives us the chills and unable us to do regular performance, but on the other hand fans give us power to play super shots too. I still remember my first victory, that awesome feeling is clear in my memory."

Hideto's first victory was back in 2003 Mandom Lucido Yomiuri Open. Since then Hideto has added more than a dozen victories which counts up to 14. He has lost against Yuki Inamori at Japan Open in October, but that result gave him the ticket into JT Cup. Hideto has made appearance at JT Cup 11th time up until 2017, and his best finish is 3rd in 2006 and 2013. This year could be his chance to grab that winner's trophy.
"I would like to enjoy the season ending tournament. Too bad that there are no fans here, but I will push myself to do well."