5th year professional Yuta Uketake finished with an eagle to score 65 on his 2R. He has 1 shot lead with total of 9 under and became a solo leader for the first time in his career.

On Par 5 18th, his 2nd shot with 5W from 240 yards reached 4-meter to the pin. He read the left to right line and drained the eagle putt with a fist pump.
"That was great ending", smiled Yuta and became very motivated for aiming his first victory.

He changed his putting grip to cross hand after he learned it from Toru Taniguchi in July's Japan PGA Championship, and that is giving him great results. He started his round by making 7-meter birdie putt and went on making another on the next hole.

He did suffer bogeys on 4th and 6th, but Yuki recalls "It was windy from the start, and I think those bogeys are acceptable. But I tried to avoid big mistakes, and never to fall into the places I shouldn't go. I was able to shift my mind from those bogeys and play on with positive mind."

This year, he has 3 Top 10 finishes. In September at ANA Open, he was in a good position for his first victory, but that pressure made him score 74 on the final round.
"I couldn't play my golf at that time. So, I have told myself to stick to my game no matter what. Nowadays, I am getting to enjoy the pressure."

After his great round, he went to the tournament's famous fishing pond to see how his luck stands. He was able to get white trevally in few seconds.
"This will be a gift to my wife."

Fish are sent to wherever the player wants by delivery system, so his wife will receive that gift right away.
"She encouraged me on the phone yesterday saying I did great. I am grateful that she calls me every day to cheer me up."

Maybe on Sunday he could bring back much bigger gift to his wife.