23 years old last week's winner Naoyuki Kataoka has made a decent start on 1R at Sagamihara GC. Naoyuki who has made his first career victory at Japan Players Championship by Sato Shokuhin last week commented, "with the rain and wind on this tough course was difficult but I told myself that par play is okay and didn't place too much pressure on myself".

That strategy must have worked, and he managed to play 1 under for the day sitting 18T.
"On today's conditions I think 1 under par is fairly good."

The cold rain made many players suffer, but Naoyuki was playing in half sleeve shirt.
"It's because I was born in Hokkaido" said, proudly.

"I am 3 shots behind the leaders, but it is still all bunched up, so if I could score well from tomorrow, I will still have the chance. So, my goal for now is to score in 60s tomorrow to stay in contention."