Shingo snares an albatross
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?Shingo Katayama finished the Thailand Open on 13-under-par 275. |
Japan superstar Shingo Katayama shot a rare albatross, the first in his illustrious career, during the final round of the US$1 million Thailand Open on OneAsia on Sunday.
Katayama, Japan’s number one on five occasions and the winner of 26 events on the lucrative circuit, holed his second shot at the 531-yard par-five 10th hole at Burapha Golf Club.
"I hit a great three wood 237 yards,” beamed the charismatic Katayama. “I did not see it go in but when it hit the green I knew that it was on line. It was my playing partner Mardan Mamat who told me I had holed it.
“It is the first time in my career that I have had an albatross so it was really exciting. I feel really good.”
The two at the par-five helped Katayama to a six-under-par 66, eventually placing him joint 11th alongside Andre Stolz of Australia and Michael Hendry of New Zealand.
The colourful Japanese, dubbed “The Cat in the Hat” for his flamboyant head gear, finished the Thailand Open on 13-under-par 275.
Katayama also played the Indonesia Open presented by Enjoy Jakarta on OneAsia and said that he hoped the fledgling Tour would be able to stage an event in Japan in the near future.
“I am really happy to have had this opportunity to play on OneAsia,” said the 37-year-old Katayama, who has won US$17.3 million during his career.
“I would like to see a OneAsia tournament in Japan soon.”
