Shaun Norris from South Africa celebrates his birthday with a magnificent round of 67 with 6 birdies and a bogey, finishing as the co-leader onto the weekends.

Shaun was able to rejoin the Japan Tour' prolonged 20-21 season from this April. Many tournaments being cancelled last year, and he did have the chance to perform on the US PGA Tour Majors, but as for the Japan Tour, he has been away for 18 months.
"My last tournament in Japan was 18 months ago. I had to go through 2 weeks of restriction period, and I am just trying to get my game back."

Before the pandemic, in 2019 Shaun was in a great battle for the Order of Merit title with Shugo Imahira and ended as No.2 for 2 years in a row.
"It was mentally difficult to keep my best performances."

Shaun recalls that it was especially tough at the Token Homemate Cup, as "I was actually fighting myself. I had to figure out the way to get over this long period of not being able to be in the tournament field. But I have learned to accept my situation, and don't put too many pressure on myself. I try to enjoy golf rather than push myself too hard."

His younger brother is on Shaun's bag, supporting him al the way through. Shaun already has 4 victories in Japan Tour and, he is now in good position for his 5th win this week.

Shaun has been avoiding dining outside. He is taking the protection seriously and he has limited his close contacts to only his brother and players, who all has tested negative on PCR test.

Shaun enjoys his time on the video phone with his 2 years old son.
"I miss my family very much, but I am excited to see him grow so fast."

Shaun has turned 39 on May 14th, but "I will celebrate my birthday on some other day and stay safely in my hotel room tonight. I must get focused on my game anyway."