Cho wins first JGTO title in Kansai

ONO, Hyogo Pref. — South Korea's Cho Min Gyu picked up his first career JGTO Tour title Sunday, winning the Kansai Open by four strokes.

The 23-year-old from Daegu became the fourth South Korean winner in five Japanese tour events as a final-round 2-under 69 left him at 14-under 270 at Ono Golf Club.

Cho began the day with a two-shot lead and pulled away from his closest contender Yoshikazu Haku, a winless 31-year-old, by making four birdies on a bogey-free front nine.

Cho struggled to three bogeys in a four-hole stretch from the 11th, but Haku failed to pose any serious challenge to Cho, playing the last 11 holes without a birdie to card an even-par 71 and finish alone in second.

"I'm filled with joy," said Cho. "I thought a lot about victory from the start of the round. I got very nervous. When I reached the 16th green in two shots, I knew I was going to win this tournament."

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