Fujisankei Classic Rewind: Kanaya hits the peak

The JGTO heads to the majestic Fujizakura Country Club this week where 118 players including two amateurs will be battling for top honours at the ¥110,000,000 Fujisankei Classic with the winner’s cheque worth ¥22,000,000.
 
Like the imposing Mount Fuji which can be seen from any hole on the golf course, Takumi Kanaya also took command last year when he cruised to a comfortable four-shot victory to lift his second JGTO title in the space of three months then.
 
The 52^nd edition of the Fujisankei Classic will be celebrated this year with South Africa’s Shaun Norris, who finished tied-third last week, 2022 JGTO money list champion Kazuki Higa and Ryo Ishikawa among the notable names.
 
Reflections of 2023 final round
Kanaya came into the Fujisankei Classic in top form last year. He had already won the BMW JGT Championship Mori Building Cup in June and ensured he would triumph again after carding a final round three-under-par 67.
 
It was a comfortable four-shot victory after he had taken a one-shot lead into the final day. The 26-year-old mixed four birdies with a lone bogey to secure what was his fifth JGTO title then (he won his sixth JGTO title at the season-opening Token Homemate Cup in March this year), wrapping up the week with his winning total of eight-under-par 272.
 
"It was windy today on this difficult course, and I was really tired. This win has given me another boost of confidence," said Kanaya.
 
"Thank you very much to everyone in the gallery for today. The men's golf is going to be even more exciting with so many young players coming out. We need all the support we can get from the fans.”
 
Naoyuki Kataoka, who started the day in second spot, failed to mount a strong challenge and settled for the runner-up position after managing only a 70. Kataoka recorded four birdies and four bogeys, finishing four-under-par overall, one ahead of third-placed Taichi Nabetani, who also closed with a 70.
 
Keita Nakajima and Shugo Imahira both posted rounds of 69, tying for fourth with scores of 278.
 
"I struggled to get onto the green from the fairway, and I encountered such situations more often today. This might be why I ended up at one under," lamented Nakajima.
 
American Shintaro Ban, who made his Tour debut this season via the Qualifying Tournament, was the best-placed international competitor this week after carding a 69 to tie for sixth place.
 
Ends.