Katsumasa gave himself a big margin with a magnificent score of 63 on his R1 at Mizuno Open, and he ended his round with a bang! On his final 18 th, he shot 58 degrees wedge from 80 yards to the pin, it bounced once just 1 meter back of the pin and made a back spin and fell into the hole for chip-in eagle.

Spectators were not allowed, but sponsor and their guests were allowed to be at the course and the small but excited crowd applauded like thunder as Katsumasa made miraculous chip-in.
"I tipped my cap, or raised my hand, today. I missed these gestures for a while."

He started out with a 3-meter birdie then, made tap-in birdie on 6th, then made 7-meter on 9th.
"Receiving applauses really motivates us."

Which gave Katsumasa to get on the roll to go on with his birdie charge, as he made 4-meter on 10th, 10-meter on 13th, back-to-back birdies on 15th and 16th, and close the day with chip-in eagle.

"I was so happy until the very end. I just loved the cheers and applauses. Hideki's win at The Masters was great, but the victory by Phil Mickelson on PGA Championship was so dramatic. I got goose bumps watching it. It was very exciting to see the spectators rush and surround the 18th green to congratulate Phil. For a player that is what we live for."

Top 2 players of this Mizuno Open is granted with the invitation to The Open. If Katsumasa comes through, it will be his 2nd challenge to The Open, since 2010 St. Andrews.
"I couldn't make the cut that time and spent my weekends site seeing the city of London on the double-decker bus. Since I am in the Senior age zone, I only had Senior Majors in my mind, but if I could achieve the chance to be at The Open, I really would love to."

Katsumasa has been playing very well since The Crowns in May, as he trailed as runner-up 2 weeks in a row. May be this week could become the "third time's a charm.