Ryutaro Nagano challenged Joyo CC for the first time back in 2009 Panasonic Open.
"I just turned professional and all I remember is that the course was really difficult. I couldn't do anything and went home after 2 rounds."

This Joyo CC was the course for Kansai Open 2017, and Ryutaro finished at 8th after 1R, but resulted as 46th at the end.
"I felt beaten down by Joyo CC back then, so I was not expecting this great score this week."

12 year professional Ryutaro Nagano played his bogey free 2R with 7 birdies to score 65. He did have tough moments. On 14th, he asked for rules official and made the drop, "but it went to pretty tough spot", he recalls, but he saved par by making the 1.5-meter putt. Also, on 16th he made the 5-meter to manage the trouble and played without making any bogeys.

From his past memories, this course is far from being his favorite, but still his strategy against this course was simple, "get close as possible with 1W tee shot".
"On these narrow fairways, if you put pressure on by telling yourself that you must keep the fairways, that it too much stress. So, I just told myself to get as close as possible with my tee shot. If I could carry the ball within short iron range, even it's in the roughs, I could manage to catch the green with high trajectory shots."

As he said, only holes he chose to lay up was 6th, 9th, and 15th. He has been playing so well for 2 Rounds, but he is still very cautious.
"This is Joyo CC, I could never be too optimistic."

Ryutaro experienced his first Major tournament in July at The Open.
"That Major gave me tremendous experience. I gave me a clear view of where I stand and what I lack. I missed the cut by 1 stroke, but I didn't feel so left out from the world's top-class players. I was able to determine my game level as I watched other players and I gained confidence in what I had been working hard on."

After 2R, he stands as solo leader, and giving himself a great chance for his first Tour victory.
"I hope I could still be in good position on Sunday back nine."