Moto hits hole-in-one to move into tie for sixth in Auckland event

The First-Hole Quadruple Bogey at Te Arai Links

The second round of the tournament on the 6,842-yard, par-71 course began with a severe setback for Moto. Right after the turn at the opening hole, a series of poor lies trapped the 21-year-old player in a scoring disaster. Golf Digest Online reported that Moto logged a quadruple-bogey, marking a “+4” score that he noted was his first such heavy penalty in roughly a year.

The Eighth-Hole Hole-in-One Recovery

Moto erased a significant portion of that early deficit on the par-3 eighth hole. Playing across 180 yards against a strong wind blowing from the left, he struck a 7-iron shot toward the right side of the green. Golf Digest Online noted that the player initially lost sight of the ball, assuming it had spilled past the right edge of the putting surface. Instead, the ball landed precisely to the right of the pin, caught the slope, and rolled directly into the cup.

The shot marked the ninth hole-in-one in the tournament. Among Japanese competitors at the event, Moto joins Shon Kobayashi in 2024 and Kaniichiro Katano in 2025 as the third player to achieve the feat.

Reflecting on the milestone, Moto stated, I remember getting one once during a university qualifier last year and about twice when I was little. But this is my first time in an official tournament. The accomplishment immediately restored his competitive momentum.

Sticking to the Routine Through Adversity

Capitalizing on the sudden momentum, Moto followed the ace by dropping a 5-meter birdie putt on the final ninth hole to finish his round at even-par 71. Moto climbed from 11th place into a tie for sixth at one-under par overall.

Moto credited his turnaround to strict adherence to his pre-shot routine. Following a discussion with his university coach the previous week regarding inconsistent habits, Moto committed to executing the exact same physical and mental routine for every shot. That disciplined approach prevented him from panicking after the disastrous start on the first hole.

Looking Ahead to the Weekend Rounds

Entering the weekend rounds six strokes behind the leaders, Moto carries the top ranking among Japanese players in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, sitting at 69th as of October 28. His recent resume includes a victory at the 2022 World Junior Golf Championship in the 15–18 division and a trip to the Round of 32 at the U.S. Amateur earlier in the year.

As Moto prepares for the final two days of competition in Auckland, he emphasized that every hole on the coastal links layout presents unpredictable challenges. His focus remains fixed on executing his established routine regardless of the weather conditions or score fluctuations.