Tournament article

Dunlop SRIXON Fukushima Open 2021

"1W is used and outfit is self-bought" but 41 years old Yoshikazu Haku is not giving up easily

41 years old is ready to do any effort to make his dream come true. Yoshikazu Haku on his 21st year as professional has renewed his best score by 1 shot and marked 63 on R1 of Fukushima Open today.

He kept most of the fairways today and made double 3 straight birdies on both of his halves. Longest birdie putt was 6-meter on 8th. He made a superb bogey free round with 9 birdies.
"I am really happy that I was able to make 9 under at my age."

Yoshikazu came back into the professional stage in 2019 at minor Abema TV Tour. He became the Order of Merit champion and achieved his ticket back to the Regular Tour, which he has been away for 7 years.

He turned Pro in 2000. He gained his Tour Card in 2005 but couldn't fold on to it at 2008. He lost his Tour Card again in 2014 and has been away since. He suffered terrible putting troubles.
"I wanted to quit so many times, but people who are supporting me wouldn't let me. I deeply thank them for the warm supports."

Yoshikazu tried to gain more distance on his driving, and chose 47.5 inches 1W, but "I did gain 15-20 yards, but lost my control", and "I went back to playing weight on the control". He bought his 45.25 inches 1W at Japan's major used gear shop "Golf Partner".
"I go there often. I bought 3 clubs last week and 1 of them is the 1W I am using this week. I didn't re-shaft it or changed the grip, I am using is as it was sold. It was 67000-yen but I was able to score 63, so it's worth the price. If you return it within a week, they will buy it back from you at 95%. I have bought at least 20 used gears this year."

"At my age, I don't know if I could hang in the Tour, but I want to do my best not to regret the chances given to me. I don't have any sponsor contracts, so my outfit is self-bought. I like to wear it comfortably. Today's shirt is Uniqlo. But for the iron clubs, it is all Srixon. Thanks to the tournament sponsor, I was able to receive the full set last week. Hideki Matsuyama and so many talented players are using Srixon. This week's venue is tough nasty roughs, but thanks to Srixon gears, I am playing superb. I have almost given up on myself, but now I am not letting go of my dream to win at the Regular Tour. So, I will pursuit on my dream and make it come true."