Tohoku Fukushi, Furuse Hold on to Win 2025 Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational
NAPA, Calif. – Koichiro Furuse earned an exemption into the Korn Ferry Tour’s The Ascendant presented by Blue this July by winning the second annual Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational Tuesday at Silverado Resort. He led by two when the final round began and finished the tournament with a 10-under 206 (67-68-71). Tohoku Fukushi, who was on the current team's first trip to the United States, held off charging Santa Clara and defending champion BYU for the team victory with a 23-under 841 (279-283-279).
“I am so proud of how I handled today,” Furuse said. “I had pressure since yesterday, and considering the circumstances, I was checking the leaderboard. I was surprised at how well I played all week, and I am so happy about it.”
The Ascendant presented by Blue will be held July 10-13 at TPC Colorado.
“I knew a little bit about the exemption but never thought that I was going to win,” continued Furuse. “Even after winning this event, it still doesn’t feel real. I never imagined myself playing in it and competing on the Korn Ferry Tour. Winning this tournament is very important for me and the people supporting me. It is a giant step in my golf career.”
While Santa Clara (278, -10) and BYU (272, -16) made an afternoon push with the lowest rounds of the tournament, Tohoku Fukushi got boosts Tuesday from top 10 finishers Furuse, Kaito Sato, and Yura Shimura. Sato (68-73-67, -8, T2) had a bogey-free front nine with four birdies and an eagle on the 570-yard, par 5 18th, and Shimura (72-71-70, -3, T8) recorded seven birdies.
“The team comes first, and I am so glad I was a part of the team and contributed to the team’s win,” Furuse said.
Nihon’s Masato Sumiuchi, Xing Luo of North Alabama, BYU’s Cole Ponich, and JP Odland of Santa Clara joined Furuse and Sato as top five finishers, while Nihon and San Francisco joined Tohoku Fukushi, Santa Clara, and BYU as top five team finishers.
Tohoku Fukushi alumni include 2021 Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama, who won two Asian Amateur Championships and became the top-ranked amateur via the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR®) while at the university.
About Bridgestone Collegiate Development Program
The Bridgestone Collegiate Development Program is dedicated to enhancing competitive and mentorship opportunities for golfers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and underrepresented communities. Additionally, it offers tangible career development opportunities for both players and coaches. Among its initiatives are the Bridgestone APGA Collegiate Ranking, the HBCU Coaches Summit presented by Bridgestone, the Pathway to Progression HBCU Performance Experience presented by Bridgestone and two collegiate golf tournaments – the Bridgestone HBCU Invitational and the Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational.
About Pathway to Progression
First unveiled in March of 2023, the PGA TOUR’s Pathway to Progression aims to support the identification and development of junior and collegiate golfers from historically underrepresented communities. Now in its third year, the Collegiate Ranking, in partnership with the APGA Tour, provides transitional support for the top five Black senior collegiate golfers as they begin their professional golf careers.
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 45,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.