Izawa back to winning ways in Japan

BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2005 Under Armour KBC Augusta | Wrap | 28 Aug 2005

37-year-old Toshi Izawa has long been considered one of the best players on the Japan Golf Tour but his five shot win in today’s Under Armour KBC Augusta tournament was his first in more than two years.

The victory had been telegraphed in recent starts with top tens in his last two outings but the fifteen time winner on the Japan Golf Tour has been frustrated by not being able to win as often as he should have given the number of times he has put himself in contention. There have been eleven top tens since his last win just over two years ago but victory has eluded him.

A player good enough to finish as runner up at the Nissan Open at Riviera Country Club on the USPGA Tour and fourth at the 2001 US Masters, Izawa is one of the all time greats on the Japan Golf Tour not only because of the number of wins he has secured but he is also in 5th place on the all time money winners in Japan.

Today Izawa took a four shot lead into the final day and when he turned in four under 31, his challengers, given his tournament winning experience, were all playing for second prize.

Ryuchi Oda eventually shared second place with Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng with Marksaeng producing an almost faultless 65 today to record his best finish in Japan since his runner up placing at the Crowns in 2002.

Chris Campbell was the best of the Australians finishing in 12th place to continue a fine rookie season on the Japan Golf Tour, Unho Park was 16th, defending champion Steve Conran 29th and Paul Sheehan 52nd.

The Japan Golf Tour now heads to the Fujisankei Classic which for the first time in many years has a new venue, moving away from its traditional home of Kawana Resort.