At Glance
‣ The ISPS Handa Championship is being held at a new venue, Taiheiyo Club’s Gotemba Course, located in the foothills of Mount Fuji, presenting players with a challenging parkland course known for its abundance of trees, bunkers, and water hazards.
‣ The 18th hole is particularly notable for its proximity to a body of water, offering a unique challenge where misjudged shots can end up in the water, yet players might have a chance to recover due to a shallow area near the front of the water hazard.
‣ The tournament features a strong field, including World No.22 Matthieu Pavon and local star Keita Nakajima, competing for a share of the $2.25 million prize money, with action starting Thursday at 6.20am local time.
Play it as it lies, @connor_syme 😉#ISPSHandaChampionship
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour)
This week, the DP World Tour is taking a little trip to Japan. They’re setting up camp for the ISPS Handa Championship. And guess where? At a brand-spanking-new venue, no less – the Taiheiyo Club’s Gotemba Course, nestled right in the cozy foothills of Mount Fuji. Sounds picturesque, doesn’t it?
But don’t let the scenic views fool you. This course is a beast. A challenging parkland affair, to be precise. It’s got trees. It’s got bunkers. And oh, it’s got water. Lots of it.
Speaking of water, the 18th hole seems to be a bit of a talker. Why, you ask? Well, it’s got a bit of the wet stuff that’s causing some murmurs. Right near the green of this 367-yard par four, there’s a body of water. It’s just sitting there, waiting… almost like it’s hungry for golf balls.
But here’s the twist. Unlike other courses where water spells doom, here, there might just be a glimmer of hope. A second chance, if you will. Right at the front, there’s a spot where the water’s shallow enough to stand in. Yep, you heard that right. Players can actually stand and maybe, just maybe, chip their way out onto the green. Talk about a plot twist!
During a practice round, one player showed us just how it’s done. A delicate chip, a couple of feet beyond the flag. Smooth, right? And then there’s Scot Connor Syme, getting all cozy with the water ahead of the tournament. He placed a chip just so, earning a cheeky nod from the internet. “Play it as it lies, @connor_syme ” the tweet read, accompanied by a snapshot of the moment.
But hold on, because Spaniard Ivan Cantero decided to one-up everyone. Chipping in from the water, he earned some gasps and probably a few slow claps from the onlookers. “Ivan Cantero’s Spanish hands, chipping in from the water ” – the tweet captured the magic perfectly.
Of course, what works in a leisurely practice round might not hold up when the pressure’s on. Tournament play is a whole different beast. But with the 18th being what it is, we’re in for some entertainment, that’s for sure.
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The action kicks off bright and early on Thursday, with the first players teeing off at 6.20 am local time. Among the contenders, we’ve got some heavy hitters. World No.22 Matthieu Pavon and local hero Keita Nakajima are in the mix, vying for a slice of the $2.25m prize money. Nakajima’s fresh off his win at the Hero Indian Open in March, so eyes are definitely on him.
So, there you have it. A new course, challenging waters, and a lineup that promises some top-notch golfing action. Mount Fuji, here we come!
