Rikuya Hoshino is hoping course knowledge and a winning record around PGM Ishioka Golf Club will inspire him to mount a title challenge on home soil at the ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP.
The 26-year-old Japanese star lives just 30 minutes away from the Jack-Nicklaus designed course and it was the scene of his sixth and most recent victory on the Japan Golf Tour last October.
That victory helped Hoshino finish second on the JGTO Order of Merit last year and in turn earn membership on the DP World Tour for the 2023 season.
And ahead of the first-ever tournament to be sanctioned by the JGTO and the DP World Tour, Hoshino is feeling confident about his game as he and a host of other local hopefuls take their place in a truly global field.
“I’ve played this golf course so many times before which makes me comfortable. I played well most of the time which also gave me a good impression.
“I come here to practice often I think my fans and friends from my hometown will come to watch me play so I will do my best and I would like to win this event.”
“I’ve won an event here and played well before so I will just focus on my strategy and see the situation and whether I can be aggressive or not.”
Hoshino has made three DP World Tour appearances so far this season, finishing tied sixth at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, and is eager to impress again as he looks to climb up the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.
“This is important for me to play this event and I’m so happy that I am able to play the course where I know well so I would like to play well and win which goes toward the points for the DP World Tour,” he said.
The DP World Tour has had two Japanese winners, with Isao Aoki becoming the first nearly 40 years ago and Hideki Matsuyama winning the Masters Tournament and two World Golf Championships in recent years.
Hoshino believes a fast start will be imperative if he is to give himself a chance of becoming his country’s third DP World Tour winner.
“I would like to shoot 5 under par for the first day,” he said.
“In the final round, I have to be close to the top in order to be in contention so I’m looking forward to see how low I can play tomorrow.”
