Japan-Australasia Championship: Kazuma Kobori leads Kiwis; Yoshinori Fujimoto tops field after first round

Kazuma Kobori was one shot off the lead after the first round of the ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship in Auckland on Thursday. Photo / Getty Images

On Sunday afternoon, Kazuma Kobori led the champagne celebrations as fellow Kiwi golfer Daniel Hillier closed out the New Zealand Open at Millbrook.

It was the first time since Michael Hendry in 2017 that a Kiwi won the country’s biggest tournament and was another display of the rising young talents shining on big stages.

After finishing in a tie for 19th at the New Zealand Open himself, Kobori was in Auckland this week as part of the inaugural field for the ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship at Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club looking to build on that platform and, all going well, be the one on the receiving end of the celebrations on Sunday afternoon.

After one round, the 24-year-old from Rangiora has taken a big step in doing that.

Kobori was the pick of the Kiwis in the first round of the tournament, which is co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia and features top players from both tours.

Kobori finished the opening day five-under-par to sit tied for second, one shot back from leader Yoshinori Fujimoto of Japan.

“It’s always good to perform. We had a lot of people out there today, so it’s nice to play in front of them and then give them something that they came to watch,” Kobori said.

“Putting on a good performance for them, that’s all that matters here.”

The Kiwi played a smart round, hitting 14 of 18 greens in regulation, and was impressive with his putter as he only needed 27 putts.

“I rolled the ball really well and then my distance control was quite good as well into the greens. Because it’s quite firm already, there’s not much room for error,” he said.

Kobori was one of five players tied at five-under-par.

The next best Kiwi was Kerry Mountcastle, who sat one shot further back after shooting 68 in his first round.

Japan-Australasia Championship top five Kiwis in the field

Kazuma Kobori: -5 and tied for second

Kerry Mountcastle: -4 and tied for seventh

Michael Hendry: -3 and tied for 15th

Nick Voke: -2 and tied for 25th

Sam Jones: -1 and tied for 39th

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.