Beautiful caddies” who aim for the top in women’s professional golf with their sisters.

Hikaru Yoshimoto, a member of the golden generation who won her first victory at the Meiji Yasuda Seimei Ladies Yokohama Tire Golf Tournament, the second round of this season’s women’s golf tournament in Japan, in March, has someone who supports her life on tour. That is her sister Momoka, who is one year older than her. She accompanies Hikaru on tour as his manager and also serves as his caddie on the course.

Momoka was originally a competitor herself, but when Yoshimoto turned pro, she decided to take on a supporting role. Soon after, he began to take on the role of caddie as well, and this year, “I plan to play in most of the tournaments,” Momoka says, as the two continue to work together. They are good friends who go shopping together, and she was always there to support her younger sister when she fell into a slump from 2021 and lost her seeding in November of that year. She was one of those who believed in the resurgence of her younger sister, Hikaru, when she said, “First, I’ll try for five more years.

Momoka, who is currently studying to become a teaching professional, was outside the ropes to witness her sister’s moment of joy when Yoshimoto won the tournament for the first time on March 12. When asked about her feelings toward her family upon winning the championship, Hikaru burst into tears and said, “They encouraged me so much even when I was bad… I can only thank them,” choking on her words as she expressed her feelings.

Hikaru said, “I think my family would want that, too. Last week, Momoka caddied for the first time this season at the Axare Ladies, where they competed for the victory until the final day on March 26. Although she did not win the tournament, she finished in a respectable 3rd place, reminding us of the importance of her sister Momoka’s presence. The Yoshimoto sisters are off to a good start this season, and we may see more of them in the future.