Veteran Suzuki ends title drought

KATO, Hyogo Pref. (Kyodo) Tour veteran Toru Suzuki ended a five-year title drought on Sunday with a commanding five-shot victory at the Mynavi ABC Championship.

Suzuki, who began the day with a five-stroke cushion, mixed four birdies with three bogeys in a 1-under 71 at ABC Golf Club to claim his first win since the 2004 Acom International on 14-under 274.

The 43 year-old's eighth career win netted him ¥30 million in prize money from the ¥150 million purse.

"It was a long day today. I thought I played well under pressure," said Suzuki.

"I thought I would cry if I won but I can't. Maybe that is a sign that I have not suffered enough hardship," he joked.

Teenage star Ryo Ishikawa, last year's ABC winner, could only muster a 73 and finished eight shots behind Suzuki in a tie for sixth with Kazuhiro Yamashita (69).