Many great names of worldly famous super stars have their names enlisted as past winners of this Dunlop Phoenix Open. Who will be crowned this year? Could it be the 10th Japanese winner or else?

"Must be the international face", said Eric Sugimoto and made a cool face.

Eric has moved up to 3T with total of 8 under, just 2 shots behind the leader going onto the weekends. Eric is Japan born Japanese, but he has been brought up in San Diego California since he was 1 year old due to his father's business, and he still has his home over there. He is childhood friends with Tokyo Olympics' Gold Medalist, Xander Schauffele. So, Eric's mother language is English and also, he learned his golf in USA.

"My Japanese is getting better, right?" says Eric, but still wants to answer his interviews in English if possible. He made great effort explaining today's 65 round in Japanese for us.

"I think it's not technical, I am feeling at ease mentally."

He says he has been successful in keeping good performance for several tournaments. He has earned more than 16-million-yen and ranks as 50th on the Money List. He has safely secured his Tour Card for the next season.

"I don't need to play safe anymore, so I shifted my mind to play aggressive. I told myself that I have nothing to lose doing so. Then I made so many birdies today."

He made 7 birdies today, including 3 in a row from his 9th.

"I hope I could perform like today and make satisfactory round tomorrow."

Last year on his first appearance at Phoenix CC, he made his first hole-in-one on the professional tournament at Par 3 3rd.

"This course has great balance. Also, this course is so Japanese, and I like it a lot."

May be on his 2nd challenge here, he could make much more memorable accomplishment. 6th year professional will accelerate his aggressive golf to grab his 1st Tour victory.