Vincent wins his 2nd Japan Golf Tour title with ANA Open triumph

Sep 19, 2021 | Featured, South Africans abroad

Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe took his second Japan Golf Tour title on Sunday, just two tournaments after his maiden title, as he won the ANA Open at the Sapporo Golf Club on the Wattsu Course in Hokkaido, Japan by three shots.

He carded a closing six-under-par 66 to move to 18-under for the tournament, three clear of runner-up Tomoharu Otsuki. Behind him, Shaun Norris carded a closing level-par 72 to finish on nine-under, nine back from Vincent and in a share of 16th. Jbe’ Kruger was a shot back in 23rd on eight-under after a closing two-under 70.

Vincent started the final round in a share of third, three shots behind the leader. But he easily caught up to the leader with four birdies in his starting six holes, while Ostsuki made a bogey on one. Although Vincent also had a bogey in those first six holes, on the ninth, he made a six-metre puttfor an eagle to take the outright lead and give himself three-stroke cushion.

He through he was going to have difficulties with the ninth, as he hits a fade. “The strong wind was coming from the left side of the tee box on the ninth. It was a difficult task, but I aimed my shot to left, and my strategy worked out,” he said.

Gusty wind conditions caused many of the players to stumble, and at one point Vincent had five-shot lead after he birdied the 12th.

“I usually don’t take a look at the leaderboards,” said Vincent, “but on the 16th I found out I had a big margin over the chasing pack. I accidentally took a glance at the board, and it made me feel under pressure, but I told myself to play steady by keeping hitting the fairways and the greens. Then, there wouldn’t be anyone who could catch me.”

He made birdie on the par-five 17th and, although he dropped a shot on the 18th, he was home and dry.

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