Basically, Neven leads the Japan Open
BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2011 Japan Open | Day Two | 14 Oct 2011
Sydney’s Japan Tour rookie, Neven Basic, leads the Japan Open at the completion of 36 holes adding a second round of 68 to his opening 69 to be at 5 under and one ahead of 31 year old Masafumi Kawase and two ahead of Nobuhito Sato.
The 33 year old Basic, who earned his playing rights for the Japan Tour at last year’s Tour School, has already put together several good finishes in his first season including two top tens.
Leading into this week’s event he was in 64th position on the money list so still needs to finish the season off well if he is to retain his playing rights for 2012 but his great start this week provides a good opportunity to do just that.
Kawase is playing his 10th Japan Open and has finished inside the top ten on only one previous occasion. He has yet to win on the Japan Golf Tour.
The tough demanding Tokanaido Country Club layout just outside of Tokyo has displayed its degree of difficulty with the cut falling at 6 over par and eleven shots from Basic’s lead.
Japan Tour veteran, Steve Conran, is in a share of 4th position at 2 under and just three behind Basic.
Other Australasians who have made the weekend in the event are former winner Paul Sheehan who is in 11th position, Chris Campbell 37th, with Brendan Jones and Brad Kennedy 48th.
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