Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan: Hiroyuki Fujita gave the home fans plenty to cheer by carding a final round five-under-par 66 to win the 150 million Yen (about US$1.5 million) Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup.
Fujita was clearly in his element as he shrugged off the challenges from the best players from the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour by trading six birdies against one bogey to emerge victorious with a four-day total of six-under 278.
Returning to action after a six-week injury lay-off Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat signed for a closing 67 to share second place with Korean SK Ho and Jason Knutzon of the United States.
Korean Baek Seuk-hyun carded a 69 to take tied-fifth place alongside compatriot Lee Kyoung-hoon and Japan’s Yoshitaka Takeya and Yoshinobu Tsukada.
Starting the day four shots off the lead, Fujita surged into contention before moving ahead with birdies on 11 and 15. A bogey on the par-four 17th did little damage to his title ambitions as he struck back with another birdie on 18 to ensure his 18th title on the Japan Golf Tour.
“This win is especially rewarding as it was against a top field that includes players from the Asian Tour. I saw lots of happy faces among the crowd, too, and I’m glad my victory made it a special day for them,” said Fujita of the crowd who came in droves to support their local heroes at the Ohtone Country Club.