Hirofumi Miyase became the only Japanese golfer to win a ticket to compete on the U.S. PGA circuit next season when he finished 28th at 7-under-par 425 after six rounds of the PGA Tour National Qualifying Tournament on Monday.
Miyase, who won two titles in Japan this season, sank a 6-foot birdie putt in No. 18 to cap the final round at 1-under 71 and barely clear the passing mark while Kenichi Kuboya was one shot short with a 6-under 426 total. Yusaku Miyazato finished 3-over-par.
"I wasn't sure if I could still pass by sinking the final shot, but I knew I had no chance if I didn't," said Miyase after the event in which the top 30 players are given 2004 PGA tour cards.