Saitama: Yuta Ikeda of Japan won his 20th career title in sensational style after shooting a final round three-under-par 68 at the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup yesterday.
The 32-year-old Ikeda romped to an impressive six-shot victory after ending his campaign on 15-under-par 269 at the ¥150 million (approximately 43 million baht) event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organization.
The in-form South African, Justin Harding, who claimed two titles in his first two starts on the Asian Tour this year, registered a 66 to finish in second place at the Musashi Country Club, Sasai Course.
Ikeda, who held an overnight one-shot lead, bogeyed the first hole but steadied ship with birdies on holes two, four and six. As his closest challengers faded, Ikeda made another birdie on 15 to cruise to a comfortable victory.
Ranked 98th on the Official World Golf Ranking, Ikeda secured his first title this year to continue an impressive record of winning every season since 2009.
The 32-year-old Harding produced the round of the day but it was not enough to challenge the impeccable Ikeda. He moved to eighth position on the Habitat for Humanity Standings.
The leading 10 players on the Habitat for Humanity Standings on Oct 8 will qualify for the lucrative CIMB Classic next month.
