Vincent ready to resume winning run in Japan

Zimbabwean star Scott Vincent will be aiming to pick up where he left off as he seeks to extend his winning run on JGTO at the Japan PGA Championship which begins on Thursday.

Having won the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open the last time he was in Japan in May, the 30-year-old will be looking to make it two victories on the trot at the Grand Fields Country Club in Shizuoka.

Although he missed the cut at The Open a fortnight ago, Vincent certainly won't be short of confidence as he is also buoyed by his breakthrough win on Asian Tour after capturing the International Series England.

World No. 88 Vincent will enter this week's ¥150,000,000 showpiece, which is one of the four flagship tournaments on JGTO, as the fourth-highest ranked player behind Kazuki Higa (78th), Rikuya Hoshino (80th) and Yuki Inamori (81st).

On his return this time, Vincent will want to start gaining some ground in the season-long JGTO Money Rankings.

Despite making just three starts in the first half of the season, it was good enough for him to be placed 17th on the list courtesy of another strong tied-10th finish at the Golf Partner Pro-Am Tournament.

Vincent has made it a goal to excel in Japan after coming through a brilliant 2020/21 season which saw him win twice at Sansan KBC Augusta and ANA Open. He ended the season in 11th place overall.

"Last year was amazing, everything kind of went really well and very blessed with some of the results. To get two wins was amazing," said Vincent.

"I have big goals and big aspirations to be the best in the world and JGTO, for me a good place to develop.

"I like the style of golf in Japan and I feel very comfortable here. I like everything about it. I'm hoping that it will continue to elevate my game."

The other international players featuring in the 144-man field this week include South Korea's Hyungsung Kim, the 2013 winner and Younghan Song, Filipino duo Juvic Pagunsan and Angelo Que, American trio Jay Choi, Han Lee and Todd Baek,  as well as Thai pair Thanyakhon Khrongpha and Gunn Charoenkul.

A new winner will be crowned as South Korea's Seonghyeon Kim is not returning to defend his title. The 23-year-old stole the limelight when he narrowly defeated Yuta Ikeda and Inamori to the coveted crown.

With a history dating back to 1926, Japan PGA Championship is regarded as the oldest professional tournament in Japan.

JGTO legend Masahi 'Jumbo' Ozaki is the most successful player with six titles under his belt 1971, 1974, 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1996).