Katayama wins, Jones third at Japan Open
BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2008 Japan Open | Round Four | 19 Oct 2008
Shingo Katayama has won his second Japan Open Golf Championship, holding off a strong early final round challenge from 17-year-old Ryo Ishikawa to win by four over Ishikawa and by five over Australian Brendan Jones, who finished alone in third position.
The Koga Golf Club in Fukuoka on the southern island of Kyushu proved more than a handful for most, Katayama the only player to finish under par at the completion of 72 holes.
The experienced and prolific tournament winner led from start to finish after sharing the first round lead with Jones, an outward nine of 34 in today’s final round consolidating his lead and ensuring the task was too great for those behind.
Ishikawa, despite starting the final round in impressive style, was never closer than the final margin of four but he continues to impress as the hottest property in Japanese golf.
Jones moved within three of the lead early in his final 9 holes but late bogies would see him finish in third position at 4 over, his best ever finish in this event.
Korea’s Dong-Hwan Lee finished in 4th position, three shots behind Jones.
Katayama moves to the top of the 2008 Japan Golf Tour money list while Ishikawa is in 19th position.
Jones’ good week has moved him to 8th position on the money list with ¥58 million or $A830,000.
Steve Conran was 10th, David Smail doing well to finish 15th after an opening round of 81, Craig Parry 23rd after dropping eight shots in his final thirteen holes.
The Japan Golf Tour now moves back north to Chiba for this week’s Bridgestone Open.
