Bogey free score of 66 with 5 birdies wasn't satisfying for Hiroshi Iwata, as he says, "I missed several chances". Hiroshi felt pain in his neck this morning, but that didn't show in his scores.
"I feel tension when I get on my back swing. I lost some yardages, but that must have been good today."

Injury disabled him to make power shots, but loosened swing game him 5 under score in the rainy condition.

Nikko CC brings back memory to Hiroshi. I was 18 years ago, in 2003 Japan Open at this Nikko CC. Hiroshi was introduced to Shingo Katayama and had the privilege of watching Shingo practice close hand.
"Shingo's shots were all straight and stable in any gears. I was wondering why he needed to practice since his shots were so precise already."

Hiroshi was also able to play with Shingo.
"I remember being so nervous. His mighty aura was literary flashing. He was not scary, but his eyes were so keen. I just graduated from Tohoku Fukushi University, and I was really shy. But Shingo always looked straight in my eye when he spoke to me."

Hiroshi is known to be shy and not talkative, but he was very chatty about this memory.
"This week when I arrived on Monday, I was walking around the course and met Shingo by the 9th hole. I asked him about that day, and he remembered. I was happy that he remembered our first contact."

Hiroshi is in good position for achieving his 2nd victory of this year after his win at Chunichi Crowns in May, and this Major gives 5 years Tour Card, but Hiroshi was much excited about Shingo.
"Shingo's image is too strong for me at Nikko CC."