Takumi Kanaya won SMBC VISA Taiheiyo Masters in 2019 as an amateur and became the 4th amateur to do so following Massy Kuramoto, Ryo Ishikawa and Hideki Mtasuyama.

"I just can't believe that 2 years has passed by so quickly. This course has great memory, and I am really looking forward to the tournament this week."

Takumi turned professional last year in October and won right after at Dunlop Phoenix in November. He added another victory at 2021 year opening event, Token Homemate Cup in April. He has returned to this SMBC VISA Taiheiyo Masters, which is being held for the second time during this 2020-21 prolonged season as 5th on the Money Rankings.

"All of the past Order of Merit Champions are really great players and I always have been dreaming to have my name enlisted among them someday. Money race will get heated up from this week on with big purse games. I will play to grab victory on all of the remaining tournaments."

Last Monday, Keita Nakajima has won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubai, and Takumi called him right after to congratulate.

"Then Keita said, let's go to The Masters together."

Takumi won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2019 and earn the ticket to The Masters as 2nd Japanese amateur to do so following Hideki Matsuyama. Now Takumi ranks at 67th on World Rankings. In order to get the invitation to Augusta, he must get into top 50.

"Keita may be younger than me. But his actions and ways toward practicing is very respectful and I admire him very much. I will try to do my best to accomplish going to The Masters with Keita nest year."