Asian Tour Book 2024

said after collecting the trophy that he was trying to focus on his own game. “Early on in the round, I did not think I would win, so this is a surprise and an honour,” said Hirata, who became the fourth player from Japan to win the prestigious title. “I tried to play my own game. Even if I had looked at the leaderboard and seen Minkyu Kim [left] was solo fourth while Travis Smyth [right] shot 65 and 64 over the weekend to claim second. Travis playing well, I would have focused on what I was doing. I shot 62 yesterday and it’s hard to follow that up, but to be honest, I did not think about that round. “This title gives me a huge chance to play on the global stage with cards now in Japan, Korea and Asia. I have only played in Japan.” As good as Hirata’s Sunday round was, the foundation of the victory was laid the day before when he shot a 10-under round in the baking heat that engulfed the region after a few wet days. It would have counted as a new course record but did not, as preferred lies were being used during the week. The Japanese star started the day with five birdies in his first five holes and caught up with Suzuki, who had started the third round three ahead of him. He then picked up another shot on the seventh hole and then made four more birdies in his last six holes. “I started off really well and so wanted to see how far I could go,” said Hirata on his bogey-free 62. “I was just trying to take it easy and not put pressure on myself. That helped me play well until the end.” Smyth’s front nine of eight-under on Sunday would have counted as an Asian Tour record if not for the preferred lies. But he was undone by nine straight pars on his back nine. “Bittersweet, after shooting eight-under, but not winning,” said the 29-year-old. “Never had seven birdies in a row, that’s another PB of mine. Seven-under yesterday and then eight-under today; amazing weekend. To fall one short sucks a bit, but my game is in a good spot; I think I am pretty close. I am just proud of the way I played. “The front nine, I honestly don’t know. Obviously, everything went my way. I do have the ability to hit good shots but to hit so many good shots in the space of nine holes is pretty amazing. The front nine is gettable if you drive it in play. It was amazing, it was good shot after good shot.” 84 40 TH SH I NHA N DONGHA E OPEN O C E A N CO U R S E AT C L U B 7 2 S E P T EM B E R 5 - 8 | P R I Z E MON E Y: K RW 1 , 4 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 ( A P P ROX I MAT E LY U S $ 9 8 0 , 0 0 0 )