Kenshiro Ikegami made thrilling 4 straight birdie performances to make a big leap on the leader board.

After he taps for birdie on 3rd, he made 30 yards chip-in birdie from the left side roughs on 4th. Then on long Par 4 5th, his 2nd shot from 220 yards darted to 1.5-meter. He also made 2-meter on Par 5 6th, and suddenly placed his name up high on the leader board.

Kenshiro earned his entry ticket on September 2nd, the Day 1 of the tournament. He was 1st on the waiting list. He was given the chance to play in the spot of Yuto Soeda, who cancelled his entry.

He received the good new at 9:00 am in his car at the course's parking lot. He only had 1 hour to prepare for his staring time.
"I didn't think my chance would come, so I wasn't prepared. But maybe that was the key. I played very casually."

Since it was last minute notice, he didn't have time to look for a caddy. It is pretty tough to control the electric cart on the hilly course at the foot of Mt. Fuji in heavy rain, but he has been through these difficulties many times on cub-tour, AbemaTV Tour that he usually plays.

Kenshiro made the turn with 5 birdies and a bogey for 31. But his back nine was different story with heavy rain and tough conditions, but he managed to save pars on his last 3 holes and managed to make only 1 bogey to score 68 for the day. He totaled to 6 under, and became solo 2nd, just 2 shots behind the leader Ryo Ishikawa.

He is from Okayama Prefecture and went to same Kagawa West High School as Ryosuke Kinoshita, who was a year senior. Then he moved on to Tohoku Fukushi University where Hideki Matsuyama was a year senior.
"There were so many talented and stoic players around me."

Kenshiro turned Pro in 2014. This is his 1st chance to challenge for a victory.
"I never played in contention. I know I will be so nervous, but I hope I could enjoy tomorrow."
There has not been any winner being born from the 'on the course waiting list' as this waiting system has started.