Golf-Open-Japan's Yano hopes to be first Asian winner of major

By Larry Fine

FARMINGDALE, New York, June 20 (Reuters) - Azuma Yano of Japan believes he can become the first Asian winner of a major after a five-under-par 65 for his second round left him tied for fourth at the U.S. Open.

Yano, who birdied his first two holes after resuming his second round on Saturday, had a three-under 137 total at the halfway mark at Bethpage Black and trailed 36-hole leader Ricky Barnes of the U.S. by five shots.

The 31-year-old Japanese considers himself a short hitter but said the rain-softened greens at Bethpage allowed him birdie opportunities and gave him hope for a breakthrough victory.

"Well, I have a big chance to win," Yano said. "I feel like that. Even though I'm Asian, I can do it.

"And the feeling is very good. And my luck is coming out. I believe in it. I think I have a big chance to win, be the first Asian winner, and I keep on playing with this feeling," added Yano, who has three career victories on the Japanese Tour.

"It's the first time for me to play at the U.S. Open. I didn't expect anything. I wanted to pass the cut. That was my first goal. As I recognize I'm doing very well, I'm going to keep on doing it."

(Editing by Alison Wildey

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