S.K. Ho makes it successive JPGA titles
IN: News | Japan | Japan PGA Championship (2005) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 15 May 2005
South Korean Suk-Ho Hur, or S.K. Ho as he is more commonly known, today successfully defended his Japan PGA Championship when he edged out Hideto Tanihara at the Tamana Country Club in Kumamoto.
The 31-year-old who last year finished in 5th place on the Japan Tour money list, won his fourth Japan Golf Tour event and his first of the 2005 season when he maintained his two shot, third round lead to defeat Hideto Tanhiara by two and Yasahura Imano by three. Ho earns ¥22 million or US$205,000 and now moves into second place on the 2005 Japan Golf Tour money list, albeit a long way from the leader Joe Ozaki.
Three birdies in his first seven holes was just the start the leader wanted and despite one or two hiccups there was little the chasers could do little to reel him in over the closing few holes.
Tanihara won the Asia Japan Okinawa Open at the beginning of the 2004 season and although there have been plenty of near misses this was been his best performance since.
Imano's eye catching round of 65 moving him from 9th to 3rd. Imano, a back to back winner on the Japan Golf tour in 2002, recorded his best finish on tour since his runner up placing at the 2003 Japan Open.
David Smail was the best of the Australasians in 8th place after a perhaps disappointing last round 72, Paul Sheehan was 15th and Steve Conran 25th.
The Japan Golf Tour, now in full swing, moves to the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup in Okayama.
