This week's venue, Joyo CC is 10 minutes' drive from UNESCO World Heritage Byodoin Temple at Uji Kyoto. Shintaro hasn't had the chance to visit, but he already received good luck benefits from Byodoin Temple as it is engraved on 10-yen coin.

Shintaro on his 13th year as professional may have the chance to retain his Tour Card that he lost 3 seasons ago, as he made a great start on 1R at Panasonic Open today.

Including the 4-meter birdie putt on his last Par 5 hole 5th, he made birdies on all 4 of the Par 5s adding his birdies to 6, also with no bogeys, he scored 66 on 1R.
"Even when I was facing troubles, my putt saved me. On the Par 4 8th, I had pretty tough 3.5-meter putt, but I didn't hesitate and saved par."

On Wednesday's practice round, he was taught by Thanyakon Khrongpha from Thailand that Shintaro should change his hands down putting style. He was told to have his left wrist straight. This advice worked. Also, he was given another "golden advice" from gear brand staff. So called "10-yen coin lesson".
"Actually, it could be 100-yen, but this time it was 10-yen coin. I was told to place the coin on the flange of the putter and let it fall down as I switch back from my take back. It has to be on that precise moment, not as I hit the ball, or on other timings. I was told that will make my putting stroke tempo better. I practice it on the course for 2 hours, then went back to my hotel and done it for another 90 minutes. I wanted to have satisfactory feeling on night before the start."

He says he has gained great timing feelings, which he couldn't attain with any other timing devices.
"Gear staff told me if I do well this week thanks to him, he wants me to repay him with 20-yen."

Shintaro is from Tohoku Fukushi University, which is famous for having so many talented professional including Hideki Matsuyama. He earned the title of Japan Amateur Championship in 2007. He gained his 1st Tour Card on his 7th year as professional in 2015. But he couldn't accomplish to win and lost his Tour Card in 2017. Since then, he hasn't retained it, and now he is at 69th on the Money list, on the bubble zone.
"This pro-longed season is ending, and I must do something to stay alive. As for my great round today, I should not get so happy, stay cool and do my best for 3 more rounds. As for the 10-yen coin's good luck, I must find time to visit Byodoin Temple to thank."