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Monday, July 17, 2000
Isle golfer
victorious
in Japan
Castle High graduate
Kyodo News Service
Dean Wilson wins his
first tour championshipAJIGASAWA KOGEN, Japan -- Hawaii's Dean Wilson closed with a 6-under-par 66 yesterday to come from behind and claim his first tour title in Japan with a one-stroke triumph in the Aiful Cup golf tournament.
Wilson carded seven birdies against one bogey over the Ajigasawa Golf Club's 7,107-yard course layout in Aomori Prefecture for a 17-under-par total of 271, edging overnight leader Eiji Mizoguchi by a stroke.
"This is really wonderful. I've been in Japan for five weeks and now I'm looking forward to going home and getting some rest," said Wilson, who earned the $166,000 winner's check.
Wilson, who has played on a handful of tours since turning pro in 1992, said that he was forced to concentrate on his game since Mizoguchi was also playing well, giving credit to steady shots and a bit of luck for his win.
"The only tee shot that didn't stay on the fairway was on No. 18," Wilson said of the final hole, where he still managed to save par and avoid a playoff with Mizoguchi.
Wilson, 30, a former resident of Kaneohe, is a Castle High School graduate.
After playing bogey-free golf over the first 16 holes of the final round, Mizoguchi three-putted for bogey on the 17th, giving Wilson the stroke he needed to win the tournament.
Toru Taniguchi birdied the first three holes and the last five holes of the round on his way to a 65 to climb into third place with a 15-under 273.
Hawaii's Greg Meyer finished in a tie for 15th place.
