The local favorite made up for missing out at the inaugural tournament and the Olympics with a clutch performance on home soil.
The Japanese fan favorite held a one-shot advantage over American Cameron Tringale following the second straight round.
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks skipper, who has guided his club to five Japan Series titles since 2015, is not expected to remain in charge in 2022.
But will the global athletics supremo’s comments give the Japanese capital a big boost in the next few years?
Masters champion Matsuyama stayed in contention but missed clutch putts down the stretch.
Hideki Matsuyama is one stroke off the pace entering the final round of the men’s golf tournament at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
Unheralded Austrian Sepp Straka takes the early lead with an Olympic-record 63 at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
"I feel a great responsibility being appointed captain of the Japanese delegation to the Olympics held in our own nation.”
Several Hanshin players are having productive seasons at the plate to help carry the team to the top.
Shoma Doi scored a hat trick to lead the hosts to a 5-3 victory in the J. League showdown.
Manager Toru Oniki's club has played 12 games this season, winning 10 times and earning two draws.
Rewarded for his productivity in his first season with the Raptors, he's no longer subject to the normal restrictions of a two-way deal, which shuffles players...