Young gun Taiga Semikawa survived a late scare to become only the second amateur to win the Japan Open in its 87-year history. The thrilling final day saw Semikawa hang tough to stave off a charging Kazuki Higa and secure a two-shot win over the latter at Sanko Golf Club in Hyogo.

Having built a comfortable six-shot lead over Higa heading into Sunday's finale, it looked as if Semikawa was going to cruise to an effortless victory when he birdied the first two holes to race eight ahead. But the young Japanese star flirted with danger after squandering four shots just before the turn, which included a triple bogey at the par-four ninth.

Another bogey dropped at the 17th saw Semikawa's lead being trimmed to just two, but he held his nerve to save par at the last to sensationally seal his second successive Japan Golf Tour victory with a 10-under-par 270 total (64-70-63-73). It came just three weeks after he pulled off a stunning win at the Panasonic Open.

"Now that I have won twice, I'm going to raise the bar even higher and expect even more from myself," said Semikawa. "Winning the Panasonic Open and now the Japan Open has changed my perspectives and mindset.

"I want to build on this. My dream is to win all four majors," added the 21-year-old.

Australian Adam Scott, the highest-ranked player in this week's field at world number 32, closed with a one-over-par 71 to tie for sixth alongside American Chan Kim on two-over-par 282. Scott now has three top-10 finishes from a total of six Japan Open appearances since debuting in 2014.

Defending champion Shaun Norris of South Africa settled for T28 on 11-over-par after a closing 77.