Noda City, Japan: Japan’s Kenichi Kuboya kept the Panasonic OPEN Japan trophy on home soil when he defeated compatriot Katsumasa Miyamoto at the first play-off hole on Sunday. Indian golfer Arjun Atwal had a below-par final round to finish tied 15th with a disappointing one-over 72 at the Panasonic OPEN Japan, on Sunday.
 

India's Arjun Atwal clinched tied 15th place at the Panasonic Open Japan

 

Atwal, starting the day at six-under, with three straight 69s, finished at five-under 279, six behind the ultimate winner Japan's Kenichi Kuboya (64).
 

Kuboya first rallied to get into the play-off and then beat compatriot Katsumasa Miyamoto (68) at the first extra hole, as both totaled 11-under 273 in regulation.
 

Other Indians in fray, Gaganjeet Bhullar (72) and SSP Chawrasia (75) finished the week at four-over 290 and ended in tied 58th place.
 

Atwal, starting the final day four off the pace, needed a fast start, but instead opened with a double bogey. The birdie putts just did not fall. After seven pars, he had another bogey on 10th, by which time even a top 10 finish became a distant dream.
 

Birdies on 15th and 17th were consolations as he finished tied 15th, still his best since the Dubai win in end-December 2014.
 

For Kuboya the win at the 150 million yen event was the first for the 45-year-old in five years and also provided him with much relief as he was facing the prospect of losing his winner's exemption status on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) this year.

 

Japan's Kuboya defeated Miyamoto with a bogey at the first play-off hole

 

It was his seventh win on Japan Tour, but first since 2012 Japan Open. " I was not expecting to win at the start of the week as I had set for myself a top-10 target. So this win is definitely a bonus. I felt bad for Miyamoto when he saw him hitting those bad shots at the play-off hole. I know Miyamoto for a very long time and we are good friends. I’m going to drink lots of alcohol to celebrate this victory. The best thing about this week is the winner’s cheque which will come in very handy for the family!" said Kuboya. 

 

Victory at the ¥150 million (approximately US$1.37million) event was the first for the 45-year-old in five years and also provided him with much relief as he was facing the prospect of losing his winner’s exemption status on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) this year.

 

Kuboya produced a final day heroics when he signed for a seven-under-par 64 to force a play-off with Miyamoto who compiled a four-day total of 11-under-par 273 at the Chiba Country Club.

 

Kuboya then gained the early advantage when Miyamoto hit his tee shot out of bounds at the first play-off hole.

 

After finding further trouble with his second tee shot which landed behind the tree and with Kuboya reaching the green in three, Miyamoto would concede defeat to Kuboya who could even afford to three-putt for a bogey to win.

 

Philippines’ Juvic Pagunsan had a closing eagle-three on 18 to thank for lifting him to tied-sixth place, which was also his second top-10 finish in Japan in two weeks.

 

Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng’s final day charge did not materialized as he signed off with a 72 that left him in a share of ninth place that also included Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman.

 

Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng tied 9th at the Panasonic Open

 

"I thought I had the chance to fightback after those two birdies on 10 and 11. I was only 1 shot behind the leaders at that stage. But I had trouble on those two par-five on 14 and 18. Two bogeys there cost me the title chance. But it’s okay, I look forward to my next event and hopefully play well again." said Prayad.