Overnight leader Taichi Teshima had an inconsistent final round of 70 Sunday but won the 120 million yen Japan Open by four strokes after his closest rivals failed to mount a challenge.
Teshima bagged five birdies but also had four bogeys at Tokyo Golf Club and secured only his second career title at a 7-under 277, ahead of Tsuyoshi Yoneyama, who carded the day's best round of 68.
The 32-year-old Teshima, whose previous win came at the 1999 Fancl Okinawa Open, struggled off the tee on the back nine and admitted to nerves afterward.
"I tend to put pressure on myself and I had decided not to look at the scoreboard today," Teshima said. "I don't know why my tee shots were so bad. I didn't feel any pressure on my approach shots or on the greens."
Teshima's victory brings him a paycheck of 24 million yen and lifts him up to fifth on this year's tour money rankings as well as earning him a berth at next year's British Open.
Yoneyama, meanwhile, opened with three birdies in a charge up the leaderboard. Although he could not sustain the pace, he secured sole second place on 3-under 281, despite a bogey on the final hole.