Hirata claims three-shot win in Hokkaido​

Kensei Hirata clinched his third JGTO victory on Sunday, winning the Shigeo Nagashima Invitational Sega Sammy Cup by a three-shot margin.

The 23-year-old claimed his second title in Hokkaido after closing with a solid three-under-par 68 for a 19-under 267 total at The North Country Golf Club.

Hirata, whose previous Hokkaido victory was in last year's Japan PGA Championship, entered the final round with a two-shot advantage and was never seriously threatened.

His closest pursuers, Taiga Semikawa and Taiki Yoshida, were unable to make further headway despite promising starts on the front nine.

Hirata mixed five birdies with two bogeys through 14 holes to maintain a solid lead before reeling off four straight pars to claim his well-deserved first victory of the season.

He has been performing consistently in his first 10 starts, making cuts in all of them and finishing in the top 20 on five occasions.

"Entering this season with two wins last year, I felt this win was a significant one," said Hirata.

"My aim was to win at least one title every year, but I wasn't really in contention this season, and never felt close to winning at all.

"Seeing others win and celebrating their victories made me want to be in that position. Now that I've won, this victory is even more special and gives me confidence."

Koshiro Maeda shot his best round of the week, a 65, to finish in joint second on 270 along with Satoshi Kodaira, a one-time PGA Tour winner, who shot 66.

Yoshida finished solo fourth a further shot back following a closing 68, while Semikawa settled for a 70 to end the week in a six-way tie for fifth on 272.

Leading final round scores

267: Kensei Hirata 66-68-65-68;

270: Koshiro Maeda 67-72-66-65, Satoshi Kodaira 66-71-67-66;

271: Taiki Yoshida 66-72-65-68;

272: Taichi Nabetani 68-74-65-65, Tomohiro Kondo 66-71-69-66, Tomoyasu Sugiyama 65-70-69-68, Yuwa Kosaihira 68-67-69-68, Yusaku Kiyazato 69-71-63-68, Taiga Semikawa 68-69-65-70.