Japanese players dominate FISU World University Golf Championship

LUBAO, PAMPANGA — Japanese Daiki Imano sizzled with a bogey-free six-under 66 to cop his final round and claimed the victory at the 17th FISU World University Golf Championship at the Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club.

Imano tamed the golf course with six birdies including a gimmie birdie on par-5 18th to beat threeday leader Henry Tschopp of Switzerland in comefrom-behind fashion.

“My brief stay in the Philippines was made memorable with my victory today. I am really happy with the result,” said the 21year old Imano to complete a round of nines in another scorching day built on 3333 for a tournament total of 278.

Counting his early 72, 68, and 72, the rank three amateur golfer back home birdied the par-four No. 6 within 16 feet to highlight his remarkable round in the event sanctioned by the International Sports University Federation (FISU) and organized by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP).

Compatriot Yuto Katsuragawa, a member of Manila Southwoods that played in 71st PAL Interclub last March, trailed by two strokes to finish at second with an aggregate 280 on rounds of 74-70-67-69.

Tschopp stumbled on par-4 No. 16 with a double bogey after losing the ball on the right. The 19-year old Swiss national player from Zurich made five birdies and four bogeys for 74 and a four-round total of 281.