After a record amateur career that saw him spend 87 weeks atop the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Keita Nakajima took the next step in his golf career by making his PGA Tour debut as a professional in his native Japan.
As an amateur the 22-year-old made two starts on Tour last year, finishing T-28 at the Zozo Championship and 41st at the Sony Open in Hawaii. He also missed the cut at the Masters, U.S. Open and Open Championship.
Nakajima turned pro last month and was awarded a sponsor exemption to this year’s Zozo, where he shot an even-par 70 in the first round. Nakajima started on the back and made the turn at one under but struggled early on his second nine, making bogey on three of his first four holes before righting the ship with consecutive birdies on Nos. 5 and 6 to get back to even.
Keita Nakajima of Japan hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during the first round of the ZOZO Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on October 13, 2022, in Inzai, Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
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