Kobukuro clinches Japan Amateur on 36th hole

NARA, Japan (July 7, 2012) -- Hideto Kobukuro really likes the 18th hole at Nara International Golf Club in Nara prefecture, Japan. He birdied the 580-yard par-5 18th at the close of the morning round to go 1-up on Kazuki Higa and then he birdied it again 18 holes later to claim the Japan Amateur Crown and what will likely be a ticket to the 2013 Masters. The 21-year-old Kobukuro grew a lead to 2-up on the 12 hole of the match but the fiesty Higa managed to square the match with wins on the 13th and 15th holes. Kabukuro managed to get the lead to 2-up in the afternoon round but Higa once again clawed his way back with wins on the 25th and 28th holes. Kabukuro then won the 203-yard par-3 31st hole to go one up and would halve holes all the way to house and an eventual birdie on 18 for a 2-up victory.