Kuramoto tops US Champions Tour Q-school

Massy Kuramoto, who will skipper Asia against Europe in the inaugural Royal Trophy in January, showed that he could still play a good game by topping the class at the US Champions Tour Qualifying School Finals on Monday.

The Japanese legend carded rounds of 79, 72, 69, 69, 70 and 70 to win the Qualifying School by two strokes and earned full exemption for the 2006 Champions Tour.

Kuramoto is one of Japan’s most decorated golfers and was named recently as Asian captain for the Royal Trophy. He will pit his wits against Spanish great Seve Ballesteros, who will captain Europe in the Ryder Cup-style matchplay event at Amata Spring Country Club, Thailand on January 5-8, 2006.

Winner of 30 titles on the Japan Golf Tour, Kuramoto's successful campaign in the Qualifying School showed that he is still very much on top of his game and will be an inspiration for the Asian side.

A professional for more than two decades, Kuramoto received global acclaim for showing the confidence to test himself in the United States and Europe.

One of his finest and most memorable achievements came in the 1982 British Open when he finished fourth, two shots shy of the triumphant Tom Watson. His last success in Japan came in the 2003 Acom International when he fired a record-breaking opening round of 59.

Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour and European Tour, the Royal Trophy will offer US$1.5 million in prize money with the winning team taking home US$1 million.

November 22, 2005

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