Q&A with Shinichi Mizuno

We caught up with birthday boy Shinichi Mizuno at the 2015 Hong Kong Mid Amateur Championships. The 22-year-old talks about his college life in Japan and his recent changes in golf swing

22-year-old Shinichi Mizuno

Happy birthday, Shinichi. You have fallen off the radar for quite a while. Tell us how you have been.

I’m currently studying at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan. It has been a tough year, to play the college golf team and study. Even if we make the team, that’s no excuse to fall back on academics. So yes, I’ve been busy finding the balance.

The last Hong Kong tournament you played was the Close Amateur in February this year, where you finished in a tie for fourth place. How has your game been?

I’ve been struggling a bit for the past two years, especially with my long game.

Perhaps that explains the minor changes in your golf swing?

Yes, exactly. I’m working on my new swing. But sometimes, under tournament pressure, the old swing still comes out, and causes a bad drive. The good news is, I am definitely adjusting and I carry a positive thinking.

How was your round today?

The greens were a little slower than I expected, perhaps because of the occasional rain. But that’s not going to be my excuse. I played 4-over today. I must make a better score tomorrow.

"Under tournament pressure, my old swing still comes out," Shinichi said