Kobayashi wins Panasonic Open
BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2012 Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open | Wrap | 23 Sep 2012
Japan’s Masanori Kobayashi has today won the Asia Pacific Panasonic Open at the Higashi Hirono Golf Club in Hyogo Prefecture, a final round of 62 lifting the 36 year old from 15th position overnight to a one shot victory over Koumei Oda.
An outward nine of 28 saw Kobayashi move to the lead in the event co-sanctioned between the Japan and Asian Tours and after finishing his round the best part of 40 minutes ahead of the final group he awaited his fate.
Oda was still tied for the lead with two holes to play but a bogey at the 17th hole and not being able to birdie the par five last cost him his chance.
It was Kobayashi’s first second victory on the Japan Golf Tour although his first Asian Tour victory after qualifying for the Asian Tour earlier this year. He played several Asian Tour events earlier in the season before the Japan Tour got started in April.
It was quite a turnaround for Kobayashi who had missed his last four cuts on the Japan Tour before his stunning effort this week.
Third round leader, Masimichi Uehira finished alone in third position.
Darren Beck finished as the leading Australian when he tied for 11th and earned A$30,000. Marcus Fraser was 13th, Queensland amateur star and the Australian Stroke-play Champion, Cameron Smith, did very well when 17th, Brendan Jones was 18th, Kieran Pratt 32nd, New Zealand amateur Vaughn McCall 58th and Rick Kulacz 65th.
The Japan Golf Tour now moves to Nagoya for the Tokai Classic.
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