Kensei Hirata arrived at the Shinhan Donghae Open enjoying a rich vein of form and lived up to the billing as the one to watch by winning the 40th edition of the revered Korean event. Story from the 2024 Asian Tour Yearbook.

Following rounds of 71, 67, and a stunning 62, the 23-year-old from Osaka closed with a six-under-par 66 and finished on a spectacular 22-under total at the Ocean Course at Club72 in Incheon, close to the international airport.

However, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park for the Japanese star, who had won the Fujisankei Classic on the Japan Golf Tour the week before. It was one of four titles he secured during the 2024 season, and one of three he won in the space of four weeks.

The challenge for Hirata [main picture] in the tri-sanctioned tournament, with Japan and Korea, came in the form of Australia’s Travis Smyth, who finished with a brilliant 64, but in the end, it could only secure him a runner-up spot one shot behind the champion.

The popular man-bunned Sydneysider started the day three shots behind Hirata but caught up with the leader by the turn with a dream run of eight birdies in his opening nine. However, even as Smyth was mounting the charge, Hirata managed to make three birdies and an eagle, on the par-five fifth, and did not let his rival go past him.

Kensei Hirata’s victory last year was one of three in the space of four weeks.

Both players were at 21-under as they started the back nine, but birdies dried up for Smyth, while Hirata picked up shots on the 11th, 13th and 15th to give himself enough breathing space to have the luxury of making two bogies coming in.

Japan’s Kosuke Suzuki, who started the day sharing the lead with Hirata, ended in sole third place, four shots behind the champion. Korean Minkyu Kim (68), who won the Kolon Korea Open presented by ELORD earlier in the season, finished in fourth place, one behind Suzuki.

It’s always difficult to follow a super-low round with another. Hirata must have kept his eyes on Smyth’s charge but said after collecting the trophy that he was trying to focus on his own game.

“Early on in the round, I did not think I would win, so this is a surprise and an honour,” said Hirata, who became the fourth player from Japan to win the prestigious title.

“I tried to play my own game. Even if I had looked at the leaderboard and seen Travis playing well, I would have focused on what I was doing. I shot 62 yesterday and it’s hard to follow that up, but to be honest, I did not think about that round.

Travis Smyth mounted a challenge on Sunday making a staggering eight birdies on the front nine.

“This title gives me a huge chance to play on the global stage with cards now in Japan, Korea and Asia. I have only played in Japan.”

As good as Hirata’s Sunday round was, the foundation of the victory was laid the day before when he shot a 10-under round in the baking heat that engulfed the region after a few wet days. It would have counted as a new course record but did not, as preferred lies were being used during the week.

The Japanese star started the day with five birdies in his first five holes and caught up with Suzuki, who had started the third round three ahead of him. He then picked up another shot on the seventh hole and then made four more birdies in his last six holes.

“I started off really well and so wanted to see how far I could go,” said Hirata on his bogey-free 62. “I was just trying to take it easy and not put pressure on myself. That helped me play well until the end.”

Smyth’s front nine of eight-under on Sunday would have counted as an Asian Tour record if not for the preferred lies. But he was undone by nine straight pars on his back nine.

“Bittersweet, after shooting eight-under, but not winning,” said the 29-year-old.

“Never had seven birdies in a row, that’s another PB of mine. Seven-under yesterday and then eight-under today; amazing weekend. To fall one short sucks a bit, but my game is in a good spot; I think I am pretty close. I am just proud of the way I played.

“The front nine, I honestly don’t know. Obviously, everything went my way. I do have the ability to hit good shots but to hit so many good shots in the space of nine holes is pretty amazing. The front nine is gettable if you drive it in play. It was amazing, it was good shot after good shot.”