Wilson holds off Tanguchi to claim victory
IN: News | Japan | Tsuruya Open (2002) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 29 Apr 2002
A certain amount of familiarity is already developing about this season's tour with two of last season's stars figuring in the finish here.
American Dean Wilson, who in his first two seasons in Japan has won four times including three in 2001 where he was third on the money list, held off a determined challenge from one of last season's most consistent players Toru Taniguchi. Taniguchi, who finished fifth on last season's money list without a win, completed his third top-five finish in three starts this season including his win in the season opening Token Cup.
Wilson had started round four two ahead of Kiyoshi Miyamoto and never lost the lead but was joined in the lead early in the back nine by Taniguchi who got to five under for the round through twelve holes. A bogey on the thirteenth to Wilson's birdie saw Taniguchi's challenge falter and Wilson went on to win by two.
Taniguchi leads the money list this season with Murota, the winner in Shizuoka, in second place and Wilson now third.
David Smail produced a very solid weekend, his last round 66 moving him from a tie for twenty third to a tie for sixth and ($A46,000). Scott Laycock, who had the disappointment a few weeks ago to lose out on the chance to finish in the top two on the Australasian Tour and gain an automatic spot for the US Open, finished tenth ($A32,000). Brendan Jones was 20th and Richard Backwell a previous winner here was 65th.
The Japan Tour now heads to Nagoya for the Crowns event.
