Hiroshi Iwata and Hideki Matsuyama delighted Japanese golf enthusiasts by taking the first two places in the Zozo Championship, an event counting for the PGA Tour organized in Japan. The two men respectively signed cards of 63 and 64 (par 70) at the end of the first day.
It is the first time in his career that Iwata has led a PGA Tour tournament, he who took advantage of Kevin Na’s forfeit last Monday to enter the tournament at the very last moment.
3
Hiroshi Iwata has already signed three Top 10 on the PGA Tour in 46 tournaments played on this circuit. He played a full season there in 2015/2016.
Chilean Joaquin Niemann shares 2nd place with Matsuyama. Briton Matt Wallace is 4th with a card of 65.
In front of 5000 spectators
An eagle and no less than 6 birdies allowed Iwata to take the lead in front of Matsuyama, who became the first Japanese man to win a major tournament (the Masters) last April. Matsuyama birdied the first hole before completing two more in Chiba, near Tokyo.
« I have made six-sous-par cards on the first day during the last tournaments and I hope I can continue at this pace this time around ”said Matsuyama, whose every shot was watched by the 5,000 or so masked spectators admitted to the course.
« We play in front of a lot of spectators in the PGA Tour tournaments in the United States, but to be able to play in my country in front of so many Japanese fans is very exciting and I’m happy that I managed to play well today ”, added the 19th player in the world, who finished second on the same course behind Tiger Woods in 2019.
Cadors in difficulty
The American Xander Sc Chaudele, gold medalist in Tokyo and 5th in the world, was let down by his driving after a good start to the course and was only able to return a card of 70.
Note that the No. 1 seed in this tournament, Collin Morikawa (3rd in the world) started his tournament with a 71. The American is ranked 42nd.
.
