Kensei Hirata wins the 52nd Mizuno Open

Mizuno’s young gun wins Mizuno Open to qualify for the 151st Open Championship

One of Mizuno’s own young guns Kensei Harata has won the 52nd Mizuno Open in Japan – played at JFE Setonaikai Golf Club.  Through his playoff victory, Kensei (22) also secured a spot at the 151st Open Championship.  Kensei make his Open debut at Royal Liverpool, having finished the tournament at (17) with rounds of 67, 71, 67 and 66.  Kensei played;

Hirata with ST-X 230 Series driver is one of a new generation of younger Mizuno players now emerging onto the professional scene.

Harata was one of four Japanese players to qualify for The Open Championship at The Mizuno Open, known as The Gateway To The Open Championship in Japan.  Recently Mizuno has re-focused its efforts on tour towards younger players – with an aim to producing its next major winner. Mizuno’s Alex Thorne is proud that the plan is already reaping results:

Mizuno’s long standing connection to The Open Championship is something that we’re incredibly proud of – regardless of the winner.  But to see one of Mizuno’s emerging younger talents take this opportunity is really special.

Hirata with the Mizuno Open trophy.

The Mizuno Open is known as The Gateway To The Open Championship in Japan.

Mizuno players prepped for the 52nd Mizuno Open.

Meanwhile in Europe another of Mizuno’s younger players was having his own success at a Mizuno event – with England’s Nick Marsh winning on the Mizuno Next Generation Series by Clutch.  Marsh played a similar set up to Harata, with ST-X 230 driver, ST-Z fairway wood, JPX-921 Tour irons and S23 wedges.  Marsh finished (-14) at Farnham GC to win by 5 shots.

Marsh was another Mizuno player to win at a Mizuno event in the same week as Harata.