Michael Hendry well placed in crucial Japan Tour event.
Michael Hendry – photo Australian Golf Media
Rookie Yusaku Hosono rewrote the course record books at the Token Tado Country Club by firing a sparking 10-under-par 61 to spearhead the local charge at the Token Homemate Cup with New Zealand’s Michael Hendry enjoying another flawless 66 to head into the weekend in joint third place.
But Hendry, who’s chasing a second victory in the tournament, has work cut out for him as he currently lies six shots off the lead at the halfway stage.
The 2015 champion and recent winner of the Vic Open, birdied five times to reach 10-under-par 132, with Hosino, a Q-School graduate, sprung a surprise to be the match to catch on 16-under-par after trading a whopping 11 birdies with a lone bogey.
“I didn’t drive as well as yesterday, but my short game’s really good. All in all, it was really solid just like yesterday,” said Hendry, who finished runner-up at the Asian Tour’s World City Championship in Hong Kong last week.
Hendry needs to take advantage of the early season events where he gets start in order to consolidate his standing on the Japan Golf Tour where he is currently without full status. Hendry finished 73rd on last year’s money list and as such was unable regain his full playing rights but good weeks in early season events will greatly assist his cause.
Two-time JGTO winner Ryu Hyun-woo fired an eagle on the par-five eighth en route to turning in 32 before mixing three more shots with two bogeys on the back nine as a 66 left him seven shots off the pace in the fifth spot alongside Ryo Ishikawa on 133.
American Han Lee and South Korean pair Song Young-han and Park Sung-joon were a further shot back after returning 68, 65 and 67 respectively.
Hosono’s name may not ring a bell, but definitely not after today resuming his dream start with a record-breaking display.
The 20-year-old bettered the previous record held by Kamii Kunihiro (2013) and Brendan Jones (2012) by one shot.
With a four-shot cushion over two-time prize money king Shugo Imahira with 36 holes to go, Hosono dares to dream big.
“Actually I didn’t aim for this score. I just played golf. When the round finished I realised the score!” said Hosono, who’s making his only fourth JGTO start.
“I’m very happy with that (course record). I never thought about competing in the final round, but now I do, I’m going to try to aim for a win.
“I know that it’s not easy so I will do my best.”
