Fujita fends off Taniguchi to capture season-ending Nippon Series JT Cup

Hiroyuki Fujita held off a final-day charge on Sunday from Toru Taniguchi to win the Nippon Series JT Cup. The $1.5 million event marks the conclusion of the official 2010 Japan Golf Tour season.

Fujita, the overnight leader, began the final round with a three-shot advantage, but found himself trailing Taniguchi by two shots coming down the 16th fairway after the latter fired a blistering 9-under 61 at Tokyo Yomiuri Golf Club.

However, Fujita birdied the 16th and eagled the 17th to finish on 15 under par as the 41-year-old pipped his rival by a shot with a final-round 66 that also saw him save par from a greenside bunker at the last.

Brendan Jones finished third on 12 under par and Tetsuji Hiratsuka fourth on 11 under.

South Korean Kim Kyung-tae finished top of the money list after coming in tied for fifth with Yuta Ikeda. Fujita finished second on the money list, while Ryo Isahikawa came in third in earnings for the year after tying for seventh this week.