He hails from a famous sporting family and now Kiwi rookie Denzel Ieremia is showing that he too has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

Ieremia was one of only five players to finish the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup under par as Sobu Country Club in Chiba proved to be a more than stern test, continuing his impressive start to his professional career to finish just two shots behind winner Yosuke Asaji in an event co-sanctioned between the Japan Golf Tour and Asian Tour.

After completing a stellar college career at Iowa State University in December, the 23-year-old made his pro debut at the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship where he was tied for 14th and followed that up with a tie for seventh at the SEC NZ PGA Championship.

His quick transition into the pro ranks continued in Japan where he was tied for fourth, bouncing back after an opening round of 76 with rounds of 68-66-73 to end the week at 1-under to earn a cheque for just under AU$115,000.

Second cousin to former All Black Alama Ieremia and Silver Fern April Ieremia, Denzel’s development has been closely monitored in New Zealand, his third round of 6-under 66 the low round for the week and an indicator of his immense talent.

Matthew Griffin continued his excellent start to the Japan Golf Tour season to be the best of the Australians in a tie for 16th with Won Joon Lee two shots further back in a tie for 22nd and amateur David Micheluzzi impressing again in a tie for 27th, level with Queenslander Brad Kennedy.