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'Kat in the Hat' making his mark in Singapore

Charismatic Shingo Katayama, Japan golf’s ‘Kat in the Hat’, is creating quite a buzz at the US$3 million Barclays Singapore Open with his stylish play.

Katayama shot his second successive two-under-par 69 on Friday morning to lie just two shots behind the majestic Ernie Els of South Africa who sizzled to a 65 to take the early halfway lead.

He is establishing a new dynasty in Japanese golf to match that created by the legendary Jumbo Ozaki and is becoming increasingly popular throughout the golfing world.

He played with world number one Tiger Woods and six-time Major winner Nick Faldo in the first two rounds of the British Open at Royal Liverpool in July and made a favourable impression despite missing the cut.

His cowboy hat, snappy attire and jaunty walk coupled with his impressive shot making and unique putting style are making him a magnet for the galleries at the Sentosa Golf Club.

Katayama won for the second time on the 2006 Japan Golf Tour at the weekend and has carried his form from the Fujisankei Classic into the Barclays Singapore Open.

“The winning feeling is still with me. I have brought that motivation with me here to the (Barclays) Singapore Open,” said the 33-year-old Katayama, who has tasted victory 20 times on the Japan Tour.

“This is just my second tournament in Asia outside of Japan and I am really enjoying it. I like the atmosphere, the course set up and the crowds. I would like to play more tournaments in Asia in the years to come.”

He has had some problems adjusting to the grains on the greens at the demanding par-71 Serapong course but has confidence in his reverse claw putting grip.

“I am getting used to the grains (on the greens) and holed a few long putts. I had other opportunities for birdies but the putts did not drop,” said Katayama, whose belt buckle shaped in a dollar sign was particularly eyecatching on Friday.

Katayama believes that the winning total will be in the low double figures and is confident of coming close.

“The winning score could be around 10 under so I am still in with a great chance,” said Katayama.

He has won the Japan Tour Order of Merit for the last two years and is on track for a hat-trick with his victories in The Crowns and Fujisankei Classic propelling him to top spot this season with winnings of US$988,125.

September 8, 2006