Hirata clinches back-to-back victories with Shinhan Donghae Open win

Kensei Hirata extended his winning form by capturing the Shinhan Donghae Open with a one-shot victory over Australia’s Travis Smyth at the tri-sanctioned event by the JGTO, Asian Tour and KPGA on Sunday.
 
After winning the weather-shortened Fujisankei Classic last week, Hirata was back in the winner’s circle for the fifth time after posting a six-under-par 66, for a winning total of 22-under-par 266.
 
Kosuke Suzuki, who started the day sharing the lead with Hirata, fired a 70, to take third place, three behind Smyth while South Korea’s Minkyu Kim carded a 68, for fourth place, one shot back.
 
Smyth had threatened to spoil Hirata’s party after he fired a stunning 64, where he marked his card with eight birdies and one par in the outward-nine. 
 
“Early on in the round I did not think I would win, so this is a surprise and honour,” said Hirata, who became the fourth player from Japan to win this event.
 
“I have just won; it has not sunk in yet. I tried to play my own game. Even if I had looked at the leaderboard and seen Travis playing well, I would have focused on myself. I shot 62 yesterday, it’s hard to follow that up, but to be honest I did not think about that round.
 
“This now gives me a huge chance to play on the global stage with cards now in Japan, Korea and Asia. I have only played in Japan.”
 
Hirata began the day three ahead, along with Suzuki, and was tied at the turn with Smyth, playing in the group ahead.
 
Smyth had caught him thanks to an amazing front-nine where he made seven successive birdies, a par on eight, and another birdie on nine. 
 
Hirata, however, kept pace by making an eagle, and three birdies, and also not dropping a shot. He then pulled away after the turn with a birdie on 11 before extending his advantage to three with birdies on 13 and 15.
 
Despite dropping two shots on 16 and 18, it was Hirata who would eventually prevail over Smyth after the Australian had to endure a different back-nine where he made nine straight pars and was unable to close the gap on the Japanese leader.
 
“Bittersweet, after shooting eight under, but not winning. To fall one short sucks a bit, but my game is in a good spot 
 
“The front nine, I honestly don’t know. Obviously, everything went my way. I do have the ability to hit good shots but to hit so many good shots in the space of nine holes is pretty amazing. 
 
It was amazing, it was good shot after good shot. Never had seven birdies in a row, that’s another personal best of mine,” said the 29-year-old Australian.
 
Leading final round scores
266 - Kensei Hirata (JPN) 71-67-62-66.
267 - Travis Smyth (AUS) 68-70-65-64.
270 - Kosuke Suzuki (JPN) 67-64-69-70.
271 - Minkyu Kim (KOR) 67-70-66-68.
272 - Tomoharu Otsuki (JPN) 69-68-69-66, Tomoyo Ikemura (JPN) 65-71-67-69, Mikumu Horikawa (JPN) 72-65-66-69.