Ikeda wins again in Japan
BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2009 KBC Augusta | Round Four | 30 Aug 2009
23-year-old Yuta Ikeda won his second tournament of 2009 and forced his way to the top of the Japan Golf Tour money list today when he defeated Yasuharu Imano in a playoff to win the Vana H Cup KBC Augusta event in Fukuoka in southern Japan.
Ikeda birdied seven of his last eight holes for an inward nine of 29 to catch Imano who, along with teenager Ryo Ishikawa, appeared to have the event to themselves until Ikeda’s late burst.
Ikeda is in just his second season on the Japan Golf Tour but appears destined for a significant career. Not only has he won twice this season but he has also finished 3rd on two other occasions and as a result of his win he passed Ishikawa to head the money list.
The leading Australasian in the event was Steve Conran, who finished 29th, Brendan Jones recovered with a final round of 66 to finish 34th, Steve Jeffress was 54th, Eddie Lee 55th and Craig Parry 60th.
Brendan Jones heads the Australasians on the money list remaining in 4th position despite his uneventful week.
The Japan Golf Tour now heads north to for this week’s Fujisankei Classic to the west of Tokyo.
