2.10.2008-- 30-year-old Japan Golf Tour Pro Azuma Yano fired a 3-under par 69 today to win the 30th Hawaii Pearl Open by two shots. Yano's total was 12-under par 204. 30 seems to be the magic number for Yano, 30 years old, finished 30th on the 2007 Japan Golf Tour money list and now the 30th HPO winner. At a Saturday press conference, Yano said he was most worried about JGTO veteran Kiyoshi Murota entering Sunday’s final round. At the time, Yano still had two holes to finish before completing his second round, as darkness forced the suspension of play for the second consecutive day. Resuming his round on Sunday morning, Yano birdied the 17^th Hole and parred the 18^th to take a one-stroke lead over 30-year-old Chris O’Connor of Arizona heading into the final round. O’Connor, the overnight clubhouse leader, was in second place at 8-under-par 136. Yano finished strong, while O’Connor faded with a 3-over-par 75 and a tie for 11th place.

Japan Pro's Hidemasa Hoshino 66--206 and two-time HPO Champion Kiyoshi Murota 69--206 round out the top three at 10-under par respectively.

Japan teenage sensation Ryo Ishikawa sporting a bright yellow visor and pants to match for today's final round bested his 2007 score by a shot with a 6-under par 210 good for a 10th place finish. Ishikawa managed a respectable 1-under par 71 in today's final round. Speaking of bright colors, the Japanese golfers really make fashion statements on the course. It is kind of cool to see so many bright/loud colors spread out over the course, they really lighten up the place. Bright red, pink, green, yellow and orange pants to name a few along with visors and shirts to match, who said golf was boring? I thought it would be interesting to show case some of the players who sported flashy attire during the 30th Hawaii Pearl Open and share them with you on a special page entitled "The Colors of the 30th Hawaii Pearl Open", enjoy! Click here to see.

Speaking of 16-year-olds, Ryo Ishikawa was outdone by another 16-year-old, Punahou sophomore Bradley Shigezawa, who turned in a solid performance with three rounds under par. Shigezawa’s 71-69-68—208 performance landed him low amateur honors and a tie for sixth place with Hilo pro and two-time HPO champion Kevin Hayashi at 8-under-par. Shigezawa said after the round at the awards ceremony that he can't wait until next year and as I said yesterday after round two that if he can minimize his bogies he could have been in contention. Bradley is a birdie machine carding 14 tweeters thru 54 holes against 6 bogies and he hits the ball a long way. Be on the look out for him this year and in the future and be advised that he will contend for the 31st HPO crown next year.