20 year old second season professional, Jung Gon Hwang of Korea, has won his second Japan Tour title with a three shot victory over Kunihiro Kamii at the Casio World Open in Kochi. Last year, in his rookie season, Hwang won the Gateway to the Open Mizuno Open and made it to the Open Championship where he made the cut in his first and only start in a Major Championship. Hwang s equal best round of the day, 66, extended his overnight one shot lead to three, a birdie at the 16th and an eagle at the final hole today ensuring the victory after what had been a tight battle with Kamii until the final few holes. With six top ten finishes in his last twelve starts including a runner-up finish at the Canon Open, Hwang was building towards this win. He now moves to 6th position on the Japan Tour money list. Brad Kennedy led the Australians when he finished in a share of 9th position, moving him to 22nd position on the money list. Neven Basic was 28th, Steve Conran 40th, David Smail 54th and Paul Sheehan 66th. Basic and Sheehan are now required to attend the Final Stage of the Japan Tour School if they wish to retain their playing privileges on that Tour.
Author: Bruce Young / iseekgolf.com