A rising star emerges as Onishi shines

After Yuto Katsuragawa, can Kaito Onishi be the next JGTO star to emerge this season?

The 23-year-old rookie professional seems well on his way to emulating Katsuragawa in claiming a breakthrough victory when he opened up a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup.

Onishi, who shared the overnight lead with Hiroshi Iwata, shot another solid a three-under-par 67 at the Oarai Golf Club in Ibaraki Prefecture on Friday to reach the halfway stage of the tournament at eight-under-par 132.

But Onishi knows he still has a long weekend to endure as those breathing down his neck are some of the in-form golfers on Tour, including defending champion Rikuya Hoshino, Yuki Inamori and Todd Sinnott of Australia.

Inamori, the winner of the Crowns a fortnight ago, underlined his intention to secure back-to-back victories after firing a 64 to be tied for second along with Hoshino (67) and Sinnott (68).

Two-time money ranking winner Shugo Imahira returned with a 69 to sit solo fifth on 135, one ahead of ISPS HANDA champion Katsuragawa (69), who is seeking to cement his place at the top of the current season's Money Ranking with another fine outing.

But at this juncture, it's Onishi's brilliance that becomes a talking point among the fans.

Onishi, who raced to five-under after 12 holes, would have finished with a bigger advantage if not for the bogeys conceded at the fifth and ninth after teeing off from the back-nine 10. 

“I’m happy to be in the lead, and I hope I carry the momentum over the next two days,” said Onishi, who graduated from the University of Southern California last year.

“I need to focus on each shot and not think about my position. The goal is to win, and I'm confident I can do that.”

Onishi will not be short of motivation this week, knowing that this week's victory is worth way more than just ¥20,000,000 windfall. He is also eyeing a major dream debut at the 150th The Open in July.

"I definitely hope to fight for my first major start, but it's important not to get carried away too. If I get too emotional, I can't concentrate on golf," said Onishi.

After getting himself in the mix, five-time Tour winner Hoshino will aim for nothing less than a successful title defence this week - a feat he has not accomplished before.

"I am satisfied with my career progress so far, but I'm also looking to achieve better results overseas. I will be competing in the PGA Championship next week," he said.

"So it's important for me to capture the Diamond Cup again. A victory will not only help with my world ranking but also step up my pursuit of the prize money leader."

• 大西魁斗