Yuta Ikeda successfully defended his Bridgestone Open title on Sunday, matching the course record with a bogey-free 62 for a three-shot victory. Ikeda had five birdies each on the front and back nine to finish at a tournament record 23-under 265 at Sodegaura Country Club. The 24-year-old Chiba native pulled away with four straight birdies from the 13th hole before a birdie finish on 18. He needed only 23 putts in the final round. "I played the best golf," Ikeda said. "This is a golf course where I've played for many years. This is the first time that I've won a tournament back-to-back. This makes me think I'm closely connected with Chiba." His seventh career and third win of the season earned him 30 million yen, moving him to fourth from sixth in the 2010 JGTO money race. Read more: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/sports/news/20101024p2g00m0sp037000c.html
