Shingo Katayama aiming for Asian major

Inspired by Japan’s win at last month’s World Baseball Classic, Shingo Katayama will carry Asian hopes for a first major victory into the final round of the U.S. Masters on Sunday.

Katayama, wearing his trademark cowboy hat, put himself in contention for a Green Jacket after carding a two-under 70 on Saturday to sit just five shots back of co-leaders American Kenny Perry and Argentine Angel Cabrera.

“I don’t think anybody really knows whether I can do that (make up five shots) or not,” Katayama told reporters through an interpreter. “I am chasing and I can be as aggressive as I want to, to accomplish that.

“Japan won the World Baseball Classic and that just motivates me to do my best and get honour for our country.”

Ever since Taiwan’s Lu Liang-huan ran Lee Trevino desperately close at the 1971 British Open, the golfing world has patiently awaited the first Asian winner of a men’s major.

Scores of talented Asian players have plied their trade on the European and PGA Tours over the last three decades but not one has managed a major breakthrough.

Since Lu finished a stroke behind Trevino at Royal Birkdale, Asia has celebrated two other second-place finishes at major championships.

Japan’s Isao Aoki broke the scoring record in the 1980 U.S. Open at Baltusrol but even that wasn’t enough as Jack Nicklaus trimmed it by another two shots to win.

At the 1985 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills, Taiwan’s T.C. Chen equalled the tournament record for the first 36 and 54 holes but his victory hopes faded as he closed with a 77 to tie for second.

Playing in his eighth Masters, Katayama had been the forgotten man at Augusta National, overshadowed by teenage compatriot Ryo Ishikawa, the 17-year-old heart-throb who has captured the attention of Japanese sports fans with his boy-band looks and comparisons to Tiger Woods.

But when Ishikawa missed the cut in the year’s first major, the spotlight shifted to Katayama, who came close to an Asian breakthrough at the 2001 PGA championship finishing in a tie for fourth but has never placed better than 27th at the Masters.

“Experience speaks a lot and I would like to give all I have tomorrow,” said Katayama, a 26-time winner on the Japan Tour. “There are other players but I am going to do my best.”

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