Chiba: Japan's Yosuke Asaji capped an unforgettable week by holding his nerve to win the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup by one shot on Mother's Day at the Sobu Country Club yesterday.
With his mother and wife following him throughout the final round, Asaji, who earned his spot by topping the Monday Qualifiers, kept his composure as he held on to his overnight lead to eventually close with a one-over-par 72.
Asaji's winning total of three-under-par 281 also earned him a spot at The 148th British Open which will be held at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland, in July.
The Japanese was chasing his first professional victory and admitted he also had a stroke of luck with his closest rivals failing to dislodge him from the leaderboard's summit.
"I'm really happy as this is my first professional victory and it was such a tough battle out there today," said Asaji. "I was up against so many quality players and I had to play my best golf. I was also lucky some of them did not manage to catch me. But I got a lot of support from everyone this week, especially my wife and my mother, who are here with me this week.
"It's Mother's Day today and I'm happy I'm able to deliver the best gift to my mother on this special day. It's unbelievable I'm also going to the British Open now with this victory. This is truly a very special week for me, starting from getting through the Monday qualifiers, to winning the tournament and now playing in my first Major."
Micah Lauren Shin of the United States mounted a late charge but dropped three shots in his inward-nine and had to settle for a share of second place with Japanese amateur Ren Yonezawa.
"Of course it's disappointing as I really tried my best to catch him [Asaji]. But I wasn't driving it so well today and it was tough," said Chin.
"I haven't been playing well lately and I needed a result like this to boost my confidence. So if I can look on the bright side, I know I have the game to do well and hopefully, this is the start of better things to come," he added.
New Zealand's Danzel Ieremia and South Korea's YE Yang were tied for fourth while Zimbabwean Scott Vincent secured another top-10 by sharing sixth place with South Korea's Jang Dong-Kyu.
Prayad Marksaeng was the best Thai in the tournament, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO). The 53-year-old veteran shot a one-over 72 to finish tied eighth on 285, four shots off the pace. Compatriot Sadom Kaewkanjana finished a stroke further back at joint 13th after a one-under 70.