Taniguchi the last man standing in brutal Japan Open

BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2004 Japan Open | Wrap | 17 Oct 2004

Toru Taniguchi was effectively the last man standing when the final round of the Japan Golf Open was completed today.

Taniguchi was the only player to finish under par for the 72 holes on the demanding Hakusan layout and under difficult overhead conditions at the Katayamuzu Golf Club in the Ishikawa Prefecture north west of Tokyo.

The win was Taniguchi’s 8th in his ten year career on the Japan Golf Tour, but he had not won since the Tokai Classic two years ago, that win coming in a year which produced four victories in total. There had been two second placed finishes in recent starts at the Suntory and Hisamitsu KBC Augusta events, suggesting perhaps that a win was not too far away, but it was the convincing manner of this win that made the victory so impressive.

On a golf course set up to typically demanding Japan Open standards, Taniguchi led from the start and even rounds of 75 and 74 over the weekend did not see him lose any ground. His winning margin of four was the same he had held after 36 holes, despite shooting five over for the final thirty six holes.

Only one player namely Wei Tze Yeh could mange a round of par or better on the final day in the gusty cool conditions, that round taking the Taiwanese golfer from 6th to a share of second with New Zealander David Smail and Toshi Izawa.

Smail recorded his second runner up placing of the season (his first was at the Sun Chlorella event) while prolific money and title winner, Izawa, produced his best effort of what has been a quiet season to date.

While Taniguchi struggled on the final day so did everyone else. Only Smail really challenged the leader on the final day closing the gap to just one following his birdie at the 14th. When he and Taniguchi reached the 18th the difference was still just two, but Smail put paid to any chance he had with a closing double bogey to slip back into a share of second.

Taniguchi now moves to third on the money list behind Shingo Katayama and S.K. Ho.

Steve Conran was the next best of the Australasians finishing in 8th place, Scott Gardiner playing here on invite was 27th, Paul Sheehan 32nd and Brendan Jones 52nd. Sheehan is the leading Australasian on the 2004 Japan Golf Tour money list now in 6th place, just one place ahead of Brendan Jones.

The Japan Golf Tour now moves back east to the Chiba Prefecture for the Bridgestone Open where Naomichi (Joe) Ozaki will defend his 2003 victory.