Yuta Ikeda and Yuki Inamori had to cry over 1 shot, on the Major title they both really craved for.
Yuta Ikeda made his first cutline at Japan Open in 2003 as a high school student, which was held at this venue, Nikko CC. Also, he achieved his first career victory at Japan PGA Championship in 2009.
"For me, this place is where golfer Yuta Ikeda started. So, I really wanted to win here this week."

It was 3-way tie until 17th. Yuta's 2nd shot was the regrettable miss.
"I couldn't decide the distance with the wind and rain factor. I shot with misjudgment, and I yanked it way left. I was really disappointed not being to reach the green from fairways, but it ended up on the left side of the green. When I got to my ball, the surface had less green, and it was wobbly. My ball was buried."

His 3rd shot went over the pin, and his par putt slicked away from the cup to make Yuki suffer for a bogey. He had to make the birdie on final 18 to get himself into a playoff, but he couldn't make that either.

Yuki Inamori also had big disappointment on 17th. He had the chance for a birdie for outright lead but couldn't nail it.
"It was about 4-meter left to right line. I knew I must make it, and that pressure stopped my hands to move smoothly. Which ended 1 ball short. I just let the door open for my opponent. I really regret it."

On the final 18th, Yuki placed his ball on the fairway but as he recalled, "I had much to play", and he needed 220 yards for his 2nd shot. He chose 3U to reach the green.
"When I tried not to over swing, it slipped because of the rain, and it went way right. Right side rough under the tree is the worst place to hit."
His short game was also a miss shot and he bogeyed the hole and lost.

As for Yuki, his debut tournament was the Japan PGA Championship back in 2012. He played along with Yuta Ikeda and couldn't make the cut. Yuki has 2 Japan titles under his belt, 2018 and 2020 Japan Open, so he was willing to make his 3rd Japan title. Yuki has many regrets, but he must shift his mind to The Open waiting for him in 2 weeks.
"My golf is getting better, and even in rainy condition like today, I was able to play under par, so I think this was a great practice for The Open."
Last challenge he had on The Open, he made the cut on his first try at the Major and finished at 72T.
"I will try to make better result than the prior one."

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