Yuta Ikeda who holds, 2 Japan Open titles (2014 and 2017), is aiming to join as 6th player to 3-peat this Major. He played his 1R bogey free with 6 birdies to score 65. But he says, this good score is not because this is a Major, he has done so well thanks to the spectators.
"This is what we live for, right? We must play well to deliver excitement to the spectators. That is our obligation."

Men's golf was always from having the spectators on course for 1 month. And Yuta was all motivated to play in front of golf fans this week. He made his first birdies on 6th, and gradually shifted his gear up. On 16th, he had 8-meter eagle chance.
"I thought I made that. But suddenly it hit the brakes and stopped."

On final 18th, he made the 2.5-meter birdie but to finish with style. He was sharing the joyful moment with the crowd.
"I found familiar faces, they came from Aichi, Mie, Osaka, and Kanagawa."
He thanked his cheering team which consists of more than 30 fans.

"Having spectators or not is totally different. Do you think it's fun to play in front of nobody? I am grateful to have the fans back. We are blessed to be able to play in front of them. I wish I could win in front of them. That is all that I wish."