Consistency rewarded for Teshima
IN: News | Japan | Aiful Cup (2003) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 03 Aug 2003
Taichi Teshima's win today in the Aiful Cup is just reward for a remarkably consistent run in 2003. Five top tens already this season, including a second placing at the Chunichi Crowns earlier in the year, have already made this a very good season for Teshima but with this win now under his belt, he has moved to number three on the money list and is very much in line for his best season ever. His previous best was in 2001 when fourth on the money list but again that year he showed remarkable consistency as he mounted up numerous top tens.
His win came at the expense of Katsumasa Miyamoto who, despite a last round 65, was forced to settle for the runner up position after a playoff with the winner. Miyamoto was looking for his second consecutive win after winning the Niigata Open at his last start. The last month or so has seen a remarkable turnaround for Miyamoto who struggled when missing seven of his first nine cuts for the year. He has now had three top tens in his last five starts and moves to seventh on the money list.
Testsuji Hiratsuka, who was tied in the lead with Teshima starting round four, bogied the last to unfortunately miss the playoff by one.
Queenslander Wayne Perske recorded his best week in professional golf, in terms of a cheque that is, by finishing tied for fifth. He too suffered from a bogey at the last which cost him a few thousand dollars but the $A55,000 prizemoney must surely be his biggest cheque in golf. Perske has previously won an event, namely a secondary tour event on the Australasian Tour, but his victory today is a great confidence boost.
Craig Jones and Steve Conran tied for 18th although Jones front nine of 42 today would prove extremely costly. That he was able to recover to shoot 31 coming home indicates just what might have been. Paul Sheehan was 27th. Steve Conran now becomes the leading Australian on the Japan Golf Tour in 2003, just surpassing Andre Stolz who is now more focused on the USA where he is guaranteed, via his Nationwide Tour success, a USPGA Tour card in 2004.
The Japan Golf Tour now heads to the Sun Chlorella event on the northern island of Hokkaido.
