Yuto Katsuragawa stole the show in his native Japan on the DP World Tour, with a three-shot victory at the ISPS HANDA-CHAMPIONSHIP.

Katsuragawa also becomes a multiple winner of the event, having previously lifted the trophy in 2022 before it was co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organization.

“I have been practising a lot to stand on the big stage,” said the 25-year-old. “I knew that if I won this tournament I could get an exemption onto the DP World Tour, which is really great.

“In the end I got the win and I am very happy about it.”

Overnight leader, Casey Jarvis, had his hopes dashed of a maiden tour victory after an opening nine of 40, five-over par, as Katsuragawa started the day three back from Jarvis, but kept his composure as he held on for a course record-equalling bogey-free 63, seven-under par at Taiheiyo Club Gotemba Course.

“I did not show nerves but actually it was the opposite, I was very nervous on the back nine. My hands were shaking! But I trusted myself and I managed to bring my best golf.

“I knew that if I could get into the top ten on the DP World Tour (at the end of the season) I could also go onto the PGA TOUR, so yes I will become a DP World Tour now and I aim to be a PGA TOUR member in the future.

“Winning in Europe definitely motivated me, and I thought I had to be mentally stronger. This tournament was held in Japan on the familiar course. I have not experienced winning abroad yet. I aim to win on a bigger stage internationally.”

Sweden’s Sebastian Söderberg claimed solo second at 14 under-par, while South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Spain’s Ivan Cantero, Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita and Germany’s Marcel Schneider round out the top three a further two shots back.

Next week’s Volvo China Open is the last counting event in the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing, with players in positions one to three in the final Asian Swing Ranking receiving exemptions into the US PGA Championship next month.

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