The 1st Hole-in-One of the year was accomplished by 20 years old amateur. Ryo Ochiai, a Sophomore from local Hyogo Prefecture's Kansai Gakuin University.
He delivered the miraculous shot at 189 yards Par 3 8th with 6I.
"I felt the wind from behind, so I imaged to cut my shot against the wind and target the green center."

That well calculated shot bounced 80 cm front of the pin and was swallowed into the cup.
"I was 1 over at that point, and I was 2 shots short making the cutline."
But his first ever Hole-in-One saved him effectively and gave him the chance to go on to the weekends.

This course had no prize money attached, but hosting course offered him 3 dozens of his favorite brand golf balls to honor his accomplishment.

Ryo says, he will be deciding whether to become Pro or not, according to this season's results.
"I will try my best on the weekends too."
His first challenge on the professional tournaments might become his touchstone.

Including Ryo Ochiai, 7 amateurs have safely moved on to the weekends. On the top of the amateurs is Tsubasa Ukita, Sophomore of Osaka Gakuin University, at 10T. He did have a double bogey on 11th, but he bounced back with 3 birdies to total at 7 under par, just 3 shots behind the co-leaders.
"On amateur tournaments, I am under pressure from expectations, but on professional tournaments I feel very free from pressure."
He is surely one of the amateur in focus to become the 5th amateur to in at the professional tournament following Takumi Kanaya.

Also, Masayuki Yamashita Freshman at Kinki University, a year younger brother of Miyuu Yamashita, a JLPGA Tour player who has made her first victory last week, is also doing well at 31T with total 3 under par.
"My G.I.R. is only 5 or 6 holes but I was able to be patient. Last night my sister taught me the game plan to play smart and safe until the first 2 rounds and be aggressive on the weekends."
His sister Miyuu Yamashita is also doing well this week at Fuji Sankei Ladies' Classics at 9T, 3 shots behind the leader.

Another focused siblings, Ryo and Wataru Ishikawa brothers both made the cut this week. This is Wataru's first success for making the cutline, and he is much motivated as well.

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