School can wait for teen sensation
‘‘When are you going to turn pro?’’
It’s a question Kazuma Kobori, 17, won’t be able to avoid.
Since winning the New Zealand PGA Championship title at the Pegasus Golf and Sports Club in Canterbury at the weekend, the Rangiora High School student’s name is likely to crop up in conversations on fairways around the country.
No surprises, really, given Kobori’s age and the fact that it’s understood he’s the first amateur to win the tournament.
One of many people who took great delight in what Kobori achieved at the course north of Christchurch on Sunday was James Devlin.
Devlin, the head pro at Pegasus, was in Kobori’s group in the first two rounds of the tournament. Later he watched from the gallery as the teenager’s calm temperament and skill earned him a win, and his first victory on the PGA Tour of Australia.
‘‘The thing that struck me from the very start was the calmness that he showed,’’ Devlin said.
‘‘There was never a time that he changed anything that he was doing, it was just fantastic to watch him do it. I was enjoying the ride with him and making sure I gave him a fist pump whenever he rolled in a birdie, and sharing a laugh and a smile with him.’’
Kobori confirmed he’s a player of immense talent when he maintained an overnight lead to win by four shots from New Zealand’s David Smail with rounds of 67, 65, 66 and 69 for a tournament total of 21-under.
As the highest placed professional Smail took home the $17,555 cheque because Kobori, as an amateur, is ineligible to receive prizemoney.
‘‘It feels incredible,’’ Kobori said immediately after the victory.
‘‘It hasn’t actually sunk in, but I think it will later on.’’
Lessons had to wait. Kobori had a school tournament yesterday.
Devlin believes Kobori has the drive and ability to be a professional.
‘‘No doubt about it,’’ Devlin said. ‘‘He just has to develop his strength, get a little bit bigger. Golf is largely a mental-based game. Technique is important but at the top level, it is how you handle yourself and the pressures that come with it.
‘‘There is no doubt Kazuma has got a future in the game. He showed that at the end there [at Pegasus], just the way he was able to hold it all together and get it done with a smile on his face.’’
Devlin was working at the Rangiora club about seven years ago when Kazuma and his older sister Momoka starting appearing at the course on a regular basis to sharpen their skills.
They also did a good job of convincing their father to keep shuttling them to the venue, Devlin noted.
‘‘It was purely the amount of time they put into it, and the sheer desire. They were there religiously, and they got better and better very quickly just through the amount of time they put into it.’’
Kobori’s accuracy off the tee and his deadly putting are the result of many hours of practice when he splits his time between the Rangiora and Pegasus clubs. He represents the latter in Canterbury Golf’s Woodward Cup interclub competition.
Finishing as the leading New Zealander at the tournament also meant Kobori received the Sir Bob Charles Trophy. Devlin was also pleased Kobori took time to savour his win.
‘‘I was surprised that after he received the trophy he didn’t walk off and jump on to the chipping and putting green,’’ Devlin said.
‘‘Because that is kind of how his mind tends to work. He just wants to get better all the time.’’