Tamura Gunma crowned champion at Japan Collegiate Championship
Tamura Gunma(Japan Golf Photo)
Tamura Gunma claimed his first title at the 77th Japanese Student Golf Championship held at Kagawa Golf Club in Hyogo Prefecture. Entering the final round with a slim lead at 16-under par, the Tohoku Welfare University sophomore delivered a composed performance, carding a 3-under 69 to finish at a total winning score of 19-under par.
Gunma's round started strong with three consecutive birdies from the 5th hole, extending his lead over a hard-charging field.
Yura Shimura, a first-year student at Tohoku Welfare University, stayed in contention with a final round of 6-under 66, including three birdies on the back nine, but fell one shot short of forcing a playoff.
As the temperatures soared, so did the intensity of the final round.
Gunma faced pressure in the middle stretch, dropping two strokes and seeing his lead shrink. However, a crucial birdie on the par-5 16th hole allowed him to regain control, and he held on to win by one stroke.
With this victory, Gunma brings the Japanese Student Golf Championship title back to Tohoku Welfare University for the first time since 2013.
Shimura finished second at 18-under par, while Ryuku Miyake took third at 17-under par.
The defending champion, Takumi Kobayashi, carded rounds of 71-68-68-69 to finish tied-13th at 12-under.
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