The 1st ISPS Handa Global Cup (1)

  From June 25, to 28, the International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS) held the inaugural ISPS Handa Global Cup at Vintage Golf Club in Yamanashi Prefecture. It was the first international tournament in Japan with a global broadcast reaching about 170 million households around the world.

  In this competition, Toshinori Muto finally claimed victory.

  Muto finished the four-day tournament at 14-under, tied with Filipino player Angelo Que. 

  Que seemed to be in good shape on the final day, finishing the round at seven-under, one of the two best scores of the day.

  On the other hand, Muto took three bogeys and six birdies, finishing the round at three-under. He said later in an interview, "I had many bogeys on the back nine and was a bit nervous. But it was nice I was able to birdie 16 and 18. "

  Then for the playoff, the two golfers played the 577-yard, par-5 18th hole. They both finished with par on the first playoff hole, but in the second try, Muto birdied and Que had to settled for par. 

  Finally, Muto defeated Que.

  Muto was awarded 20 million yen, a Toyota Prius hybrid, rice sake, watches and a green haori, a Japanese traditional jacket.

  The reason he was awarded such a jacket is because Dr.Handa had an idea that, in a like manner the Masters Golf Tournament awards its winners green jackets every year, the ISPS Handa Global Cup should give green haori to the champion.  This idea, Dr.Handa thinks, contributes to propagating the unique Japanese tradition across the world. 

Toshinori Muto (right), the winner of the first ISPS Handa Global Cup,
and his caddy hold up a flag with the logo of ISPS,
which stands for International Sports Promotion society,
 after Muto won in a playoff at the Vintage Golf Club,
in Yamanashi Prefecture, on June 28.

ISPS


(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, July.8, 2015)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/2015/07/15/special-supplements/show-features-fantastical-dramas-showa-tunes/