Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Japan Golf Tour history to win the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open for his third victory on the tour. With his latest victory, Vincent also punched his ticket to the 150th Open, where he will be making his major debut in July.
Trailing by seven at the start of the final round, Vincent fired a seven-under-par 65 to force Australia’s Anthony Quayle into a sudden-death play-off before beating the latter in the second extra hole with a par at the JFE Setonaikai Golf Club on Sunday.
Vincent’s sizzling bogey-free round contained one eagle and five birdies.
It was certainly a day to forget for Quayle after blowing a commanding four-shot lead overnight. The Australian could only salvage a 72 after dropping three bogeys for as many birdies.
After clinging to a slender one-shot lead with two holes remaining, a third bogey on the 17th hole put paid to Quayle’s hopes of claiming an outright win.
Vincent joined him atop the leaderboard before both completed regulation play with a matching 12-under-par 276 total.
The first extra hole ended all square after Vincent and Quayle parred the replay at the par-five 18th.
“Each week, I don’t really try to worry too much about the expectations,” said Vincent, who won his first two Japan Golf Tour titles last year at the ANA Open and Sansan KBC Augusta.
“I just focus on sticking to my routine and giving myself the best chance. And this is one of those weeks that has worked out well for me.
“I had no idea where I was standing (on the leaderboard) when I walked up to 18 and when I realised that I was sitting second (at that stage). To make the play-off and then win it, that was pretty amazing and unbelievable!”
Vincent was also delighted to have accomplished one of his main targets this year – securing a major start.
“I’m really excited about playing my first major, especially at St Andrews, the home of golf,” he said.
“It was a goal of mine, starting the year, to try to get into one of the majors. I missed out on Monday (Japan’s US Open Sectional Qualifying), but I was able to secure it today.
“So, this is special, and I’m very happy.”
Jbe’ Kruger finished in a share of 10th after a closing 71 saw him finish on six-under for the week.
