Y. E. Yang back to winning ways in Japan
BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2005 Coca-Cola Tokai Classic | Wrap | 09 Oct 2005
South Korean, Yong–Eun Yang, today won his third career event on the Japan Golf Tour but his first of season 2005 when he led his chasers a merry dance over the final thirty six holes of the Coca Cola Tokai Classic at the Miyoshi Golf Club near Nagoya.
Yang is now into his third full season on the Japan Golf Tour having first played in 2002 before losing his card that year. He bounced back in 2004 with an outstanding season that included two victories, two runners-up placings and a third place on the money list.
This season had not been quite as a good but there had been good finishes at the Crowns when third and his 10th place two weeks ago at the ANA Open in Hokkaido suggested that another win for the 33-year-old was not far away. He has also ventured further afield this season with starts at the US and British Open Championships and at the USPGA where he featured early in the tournament.
Yang’s two shot lead over Takuya Taniguchi heading into the final day quickly disappeared after an eagle at the second and a birdie at the fourth by Taniguchi had them level pegging through six holes. Yang returned the favour at the 7th, which he eagled, and then with another birdie at the 9th he had moved three ahead of both Taniguchi and Taichi Teshima, who had moved through the front nine in four under par.
Taniguchi dropped four shots in the first three holes of the back nine and fell away and when Teshima birdied the 12th it appeared as if it may be he who would challenge Yang. It was not to be however with Yang picking up another birdie and Teshima dropping a shot late for the difference to be four at the completion of 72 holes.
Teshima secured second outright with his last round of 68 while Taniguchi recovered from his shaky patch in the middle of the round to share third place with Kiyoshi Maita, who recorded his fourth consecutive 69.
Brad Andrews was the only Australian to make the cut but he finished in last place at 6.
The Japan Golf Tour now heads to the Hirono Golf Club in the Hyogo Prefecture for the Japan Open.
