Satoshi Kodaira shot rounds of 64-69 at Ono Golf Club in Ono City, Japan, to take medalist honors at the first of 12 sectional qualifiers for the U.S. Open.
Kodaira finished four shots clear of the field and will make his U.S. Open debut at Erin Hills. Yusaku Miyazato, Chan Kim and Shugo Imahira survived a 6-for-3 playoff at 7-under 137 to claim the final three qualifying spots. Miyazato finished T-23 last year at Oakmont, while Kim and Imahira will both make their first appearance next month.
Veterans Hiroyuki Fujita and Hiroshi Iwata, who tied a major championship scoring record with a 63 at the 2015 PGA Championship, both missed the playoff by a shot.