Date: November 30, 2008
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Aussies well back as Oda wins

Koumei Oda claimed his maiden win on the Japan Golf Tour by securing a wire-to-wire victory at the Casio World Open today. Chris Campbell and Craig Jones were the best of the Aussies way back in a tie for 55th and 61st respectively. The 30-year-old, who finished in a tie for eighth at the Dunlop Phoenix tournament last week, continued his good form at Kochi Kuroshio Country Club, firing rounds of 66 and 67 on the first two days to move to 11 under, four strokes clear of rest of the field. He maintained his four-stroke lead despite only managing a level-par 72 in the third round and held on for the victory after carding another 72 in the final round. Oda&aposs closing round, which featured two birdies and two bogeys, proved more than enough for the win as none of his rivals could mount a sustained challenge in the final round. Kenichi Kuboya, who was tied for second with Yusaku Miyazato and Hirofumi Miyase at the start of the final round, shot a one-under 71 to finish alone in second place on eight under, three strokes behind Oda. Miyase fired a 72 to join Shintaro Kai (68) and Toru Suzki in a tie for third on seven under while Miyazato was alone in sixth a further shot behind after a closing 73.