Kuala Lumpur: In the last three years, Tetsuji Hiratsuka has enjoyed the time of his life on the Asian Tour by winning four titles and coming close to snatching the Order of Merit crown before finishing second last season.

While his resume is nothing short of impressive, the veteran Japanese reflected on how he revived his career by spreading his wings onto the Asian Tour when he earned his Asian Tour card through the 2009 Qualifying School.

Prior to that season, Hiratsuka conceded his career was at the crossroads as he struggled to win on the Japan Golf Tour for two years.

“At that time, there were a lot of good players on the Japanese Tour. I tried hard but it felt like I was finished. I lost interest in golf and my motivation disappeared,” said Hiratsuka.

“When I was playing badly, I realised how much golf meant to me. I was 37 and trying to get through Asian Tour Qualifying School and I promised to never forget the tough times that still drive me on.”

True to his promise, Hiratsuka enjoyed a flying start in his rookie year, securing a second place finish at the 2009 season-opening Asian Tour International in Thailand followed by a seventh place finish at the Macau Open later in the year.

But it was in 2010 that Hiratsuka made his presence felt when he won three titles at the Air Bagan Myanmar Open and the Queen’s Cup and Black Mountain Masters in Thailand.

Then last year, he claimed a dream victory at the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour in front of his family and friends in his home town of Shiga.

“I feel very lucky to have won that event. Shiga is my home state and there aren’t many tournaments there so it was very satisfying,” said Hiratsuka.

At the age of 40, Hiratsuka is delighted that his victories on the Asian Tour have become an inspiration to younger golfers in Japan, who are beginning to venture out and ply their trade on the Asian Tour.

“In the past, young Japanese golfers wouldn’t have thought about joining this Tour but having seen me win here, they are beginning to show a lot of interest,” he smiled.