Tournament article

SMBC Singapore Open 2022

St Andrews, here I come, says Katsuragawa

Competing in a major championship is an ultimate dream of any golfers and for Yuto Katsuragawa, it is no exception.

 

Six months from now, the 23-year-old from Aichi will get his first taste of taking on the world's best when he tees off at the 150th Open Championships at St. Andrews from July 14-17.

 

Despite having to settle for a joint runner-up finish at the SMBC Singapore Open, Katsuragawa could still afford a big smile after punching his ticket to the 'Home of Golf' by virtue of being the top four finishers in the event.

 

Katsuragawa was clearly over the moon to have accomplished the feat in just his second year as a professional.

 

"St. Andrews, here I come!" said a delighted Katsuragawa.

 

"This is simply amazing. I'm going to the Home of Golf for my first Major!

 

"I'm looking forward to my trip to St. Andrews. I will prepare the best I can to take on the challenging links golf course there."

 

Four spots were available for the The Open from the SMBC Singapore Open with winner Sadom Kaewanjana of Thailand, Joohyung Kim of Korea and Sihwan Kim of the United States, being the other top four finishers, joining Katsuragawa on the plane to Scotland.

 

It was certainly also a memorable week for Katsuragawa as far as his JGTO career is concerned. The runner-up finish marked his career-best result having previously came in joint 21st at the Japan Open golf championship.

 

"I'm very happy with my result this week," said Katsuragawa, a one-time ABEMA TV Tour.

 

"I have never even finished in top 10 previously. This week's good outing will encourage me to continue working hard and knocking on the door of a breakthrough victory," said Katsuragawa.

Yuto Katsuragawa