KUBOYA HOLDS NERVE, AND LEAD, AT UBS JAPAN GOLF TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Riding a hot putter, which he needed just 26 times in warm afternoon conditions, the 36-year-old posted four birdies and a single bogey in a round of three-under 68. His aggregate of seven-under 135 sees Kuboya head Hiroshi Iwata, who recently qualified for the Open Championship, and Hidemasa Hishino by a single stroke.

Considered the ‘players championship’ of Japanese men’s golf, the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship is taking place amongst the forests of Ibaraki Prefecture, about an hour northeast of Tokyo.

Said Kuboya: “I played much the same as I did yesterday, not hitting the ball in the rough. I am not a really strong iron player, but, as long as you can keep the ball on the fairway, you can get good results here. I did not use my driver on many holes, preferring to use my fairway woods.”

Although the four-time winner holds the lead, the chasing pack will pose a formidable challenge over the weekend.

Brendan Jones and SK Ho, both regular winners in Japan, are amongst three players at a five-under total, while Lee Dong-hwan (four-under), defending champion Shingo Katayama (three-under) and Chinese golfing legend Zhang Lian-wei (two-under) are easily within striking distance.

Said Zhang, who ran equal seventh at Shishido Hills last year: “I was really steady and was three-under until I reached the 18th hole. I hooked my driver left and it landed in the rough and I ended with a bogey. Other than that, I’m quite happy with my game.”

The winner of the last two Japan Tour events and money list leader, Thai Prayad Marksaeng, is tied for 14th, just six shots back, with Tommy Nakajima is even-par.

However, young superstar Ryo Ishikawa failed to make the cut after finishing at a total of eight-over par. Playing in the same group, UBS sponsor invite Noh Seung-yul from Korea won the battle of the young guns, surviving a last-hole bogey to make the cut on the mark of plus-six.

Although focus of the action was very much on the course, the second day of the championship was also a busy one for UBS. The bank created a series of hospitality events at the UBS Pavilion, ensuring the superb facility was full to the rafters for the day.

Among the guests were a group of more than 40 of Japan’s leading university students. Including 13 third-year students that will join UBS in 2009. They enjoyed complimentary golf lessons, an afternoon in the UBS Pavilion as Ishikawa finished his round and an exclusive interview session with Australian golf star Craig Parry.

Meanwhile, more than 70 attending media also enjoyed lunch in the UBS hospitality area, an invitation that has become a annual tradition at the event. Taking a break from the scrum that follows every move of Ishikawa, the UBS Pavilion provided the ideal resting place.

Also enjoying the luxury comfort was a group of staff family members, a special initiative to further share the UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship with one of the bank’s most important stakeholders – its employees.