Takahiro Hataji was challenging to achieve his first career victory and played in the final group on the Final Round for the first time. Gotemba welcomed spectators this week, and on 18th, Takahiro felt like he was one of them seeing Hideto make dramatic ending and took away the victory right in front of him.

Hideto Tanihara made 6-meter birdie putt from back end of the green to close the deal.

"I was mumbling, wow wow. I was electrified seeing him make that putt. It was so cool. He is so sure that he would make those critical ones. He knows the putt is most important after all."

Takahiro started out 2 shot behind, and with his distance advantage, he gave himself great back-to-back birdies with astonishing iron shots. But regardless of playing great on his own, he knew the big gap of talent between him and Hideto.

"Hideto was making meaningful putts with no problem. I was having trouble controlling my tee shots as I lost accuracy. I couldn't aim the green and lay up few times. As I played, I got impatient and started to feel anxiety. There is a huge difference between Hideto's mental toughness compared to mine. I was able to make rocket start but soon after I stumbled with bogeys and I took myself out of contention."

After birding 16th, he missed his tee shot on 17th.

"It would have been better if I got stuck in the bunker. I had to hit approach shot from dirt land and it ended up short. Couldn't get it close and failed the par putt too."

By this time, he was totally out of the contention.

But on final 18th, his 2nd shot went into the water, but he shot his 3rd from the water to reach close to the pin and made birdie finish.

"Hideto was really great. I was able to see the greatness on the front seat. It was wonderful and rewarding to see the drama as a spectator and playing partner."