ISHIKAWA CLAIMS ONE-SHOT VICTORY

Ryo Ishikawa secured his first JGTO title in 20 months with a victory at the JAPAN PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

- Satosyokuhin

The 32-year-old concluded the tournament with a four-under-par 68, finishing at 21-under 267 to narrowly defeat Kota Kaneko (67) by a shot at the Nishinasuno T Country Club in Tochigi.

This triumph quickly erased the disappointment of Ishikawa's playoff loss to Hiroshi Iwata at the BMW Japan Golf Tour Championships Mori Building Cup two weeks ago.

With this victory, Ishikawa's total win count on the JGTO stands at 19, tying him for 12th place with Hideto Tanihara on the list of alltime Tour winners.

Beginning the final round two strokes adrift of overnight leader Yuki Kono, Ishikawa struck early with birdies on the fifth and seventh holes, reaching the turn at 34.

He encountered a minor setback with a bogey on the 11th hole, but quickly rebounded with an impressive quartet of birdies over the fivehole stretch starting from the 13th.

This remarkable run propelled him into a commanding two-shot lead as he approached the 18th hole.

With victory in sight, Ishikawa's second dropped shot of the day at the last proved inconsequential.

"I was tied for the lead on the front nine, bogeyed the 11th, regained a share of the lead on the 13th and 14th, and played solid golf in the final six holes," said Ishikawa.