Consistent Fujita rewarded at Munsingwear KSB Open
IN: News | Japan | Munsingwear Open KSB Cup (2005) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 22 May 2005
He may not necessarily be the most prolific winner on the Japan Golf Tour but Hiroyuki Fujita has certainly developed into one of the most consistent players there in recent years. In his last 54 starts on the Japan Golf Tour Fujita has been inside the top twenty on twenty six occasions. Today at the KSB Munsingwear Open, Fujita won his fifth event since his first in 1997 and capitalised on what had been a solid start to date in 2005.
35-year-old Fujita took a two shot lead into the final round today and although he was never headed, he was joined briefly in the lead when Tadahiro Takayama and Australian Craig Jones joined him at 14 under through five holes. Fujita quickly responded by putting together three successive birdies to open up a three shot lead by the turn and when another birdie came his way at the 13th, it was very much a case of "thanks for coming".
Takayama, who won the Token Homemate Cup earlier in the season, eventually shared second place with Australian Steve Conran who, for the second time in recent weeks, finished runner up. Conran had been second to Joe Ozaki at The Crowns three weeks ago and was also third at the Token Homemate Cup the week prior. Today Conran birdied three of the last seven holes to recover from a sluggish beginning to round four after starting just two behind Fujita.
Hideto Tanihara bogeyed the last two holes to lose the chance of second outright and was forced to settle for fourth.
Fujita moves into second place on the Japan Golf Tour money list behind Joe Ozaki while Steve Conran moves to third.
Australian Craig Jones made a fast start to his last round which suggested he might figure in the finish. As mentioned earlier he briefly held a share of the lead through six holes but Fujita responded strongly and unfortunately Jones fell apart on the closing nine holes, dropping four shots on the way home. Fifth was however yet another good finish for Jones this season and he will move to 18th on the money list and well on his way to security on the Japan Golf Tour in 2006. This was Jones' third top ten in three starts on the Japan Golf tour.
Scott Laycock was the only other Australian to make the cut finishing in 43rd place.
The Japan Golf Tour now heads to ¥110 million Mitsubishi Diamond Cup to be held in Hyogo Prefecture starting on Thursday.
